Online Reporter
Lawrence Moyo
NEWCOMERS MWOS are hoping to build on their impressive win over CAPS United in the Chibuku Super Cup when they host reigning champions and leaders, Simba Bhora in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match of the week at Ngoni Stadium on Saturday.
Having led the league standings for the better part of the season so far, the two teams meet in what is, undoubtedly, the biggest game of MatchDay 25 pitting leaders Simba Bhora and third-placed MWOS.
MWOS have had a terrible past five matchdays, managing just two draws and losing the other three in a run that is the second worst in the 18-team Premiership, better than only Kwekwe United with zero points over the period.
The slump has triggered questions against coach Lloyd Mutasa and his charges even though they had insisted their mission on a debut season was to survive relegation, setting themselves a target of 40 points.
However, the impressive display in Saturday’s 2-0 win over CAPS United in the Chibuku Super Cup gives MWOS renewed hope that they can redeem themselves in the title race with victory over current leaders, Simba Bhora the best way to do it.
Long range efforts from Authur Banda and Nigel Matinha gave the MWOS family confidence that all is not lost in the historic title chase.
Mutasa felt the goals came at the right time as they had struggled to convert chances from inside the box in their previous winless matches.
“We had scored from outside the box before, and I remember we did that away to Chicken Inn through Nigel Matinha and away to ZPC Kariba through Abubakor Moffat and it was a dimension of our game that was missing in recent games where we would miss chances from close range.
“So, it was good to see the boys taking chances from long range as it gave us options and ultimately the two goals that decided the match. We hope to try all options in our upcoming matches.
“Also, it was very crucial that we scored the opening goal because we have not lost a match after taking the lead,” said Mutasa.
Simba Bhora travel to Ngoni Stadium still smarting from Saturday’s penalty shootout loss to Dynamos in the Chibuku Super Cup first round at Wadzanai, becoming the first team to lose to Dynamos twice this season.
Coach Joel Luphahla has done a decent job with the new-look Simba Bhora outfit dominated by youthful talent and will be confident of bouncing back to winning ways against MWOS.
With the CAF Champions League matches starting next month, Luphahla faces a dilemma in having to juggle between the remaining 10 league games and the lucrative continental tournament.
Most members of the Simba Bhora squad believe they have potential to break into bigger teams on the continent and beyond and might be tempted to avoid injuries on the domestic scene and reserve the best for the CAF Champions League.
And Mutasa sees a window of opportunity there.
“It is a tricky scenario for them because a lot goes on once you start mixing domestic matches with CAF matches. For instance, you might have players deciding to give their all in continental matches and avoid injuries on the local front.
“Also, there might be an element of complacency, which will however come later after they start playing the matches. I remember when I joined Dynamos in 1995, and we were playing in the Champions League.
“We did well against Malawai opposition in the first round and did even better in the second round as we beat US Algier of Algeria in their own backyard after drawing the first leg in Harare.
“After the historic achievement, we started telling ourselves that no one would stop us back home in the domestic league. However, on return we lost 6-3 against Lancashire Steel in a very strange game for us. So, these are some of the things that happen when you try to juggle the CAF matches and the domestic league.
“We therefore hope that we benefit from that dilemma, But the only way we can win on Saturday is if we apply ourselves to the maximum. Simba Bhora have a very solid team, and they even strengthened during the mid-season transfer window.
“It’s a very tough encounter for us. I have always said that there are no easy matches in the Premier League, especially in the second half of the season when teams know exactly what they need to do to either win the league or survive relegation.
“We have punched above our weight and anything that we will be gaining is a bonus and we also appreciate that you never know God’s time. Our ways are different to God’s ways and we will give it our best shot and see where it takes us.”
Mutasa also spoke about 13-year-old Ethan Tamson, who was introduced towards the end of the 2-0 win over CAPS United.
“The boy still has a long way to go in football, and we are not under any pressure to rush him into action. He was promoted to the first team during the mid-season window and he knows he will get a few minutes as and when it is necessary.
“We will try and see how to fuse the young talent that we have, including Ethan, into the team in circumstances that build their confidence as opposed to piling unnecessary pressure that might ruin their future.”
