It’s for Simba Bhora to lose — Zimbabwean coaches

Noel Munzabwa in MBABANE, Eswatini

ZIMBABWEAN-born coaching duo of Stanford “Collymore’’ Ncube and Zenzile “Dolly’’ Mpofu believe that the Total Energies CAF Champions League preliminary round tie between Nsingizini Hotspurs and Simba Bhora is more for the visiting Shamva outfit to lose than for the hosts to win.

Simba Bhora arrived in Mbabane on Thursday carrying a slender 1-0 lead from the first leg at Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown, Botswana last Sunday.

Ncube and Mpofu who have been based in Eswatini for nearly two decades, having arrived as players before venturing into mentorship of the game.

The duo noted a number of technical facets of the game, which they believe favour the Zimbabwe champions to prevail in the return leg at Somhlolo Stadium tomorrow.

From the physical fitness to the mental prowess, including aggression, cohesion, intelligence and speed, Ncube and Mpofu argue, look to tilt the scale in Simba Bhora’s favour.

Ncube who starred for Railstars in the Premiership and Mpofu, the first female to take charge of a men’s team in Zimbabwe when coaching ZRP Gwanda, however, warned Joel Luphahla and his men against being reckless in their pursuit for glory.

The Moneni Pirates Football Club Performance Analysis Coach and Enjabulweni High School Academy double gold medal winner, Mpofu said though not an easy affair to declare, she expects the encounter to be of high intensity.

“Sunday’s match won’t be an easy game because the intensity will be high with Nsingizini Hotspurs out to prove a point because they have nothing more to lose.

“Conceding a 60th-minute goal away from home points to a mistake due to fatigue, which affects the players’ mental preparedness and focus.

“This could be due to the fitness levels and probably the travel by road.

“Again Simba (Bhora) have been playing their league matches for a while now while Nsingizini Hotspurs despite the recent 8Bet Trade Fair Cup, could still be going through the pre-season thus Simba has a higher chance.

“Remember they are also current log leaders in Zimbabwe,” said Mpofu.

Asked what she would do differently if she was Nsingizini Hotspurs coach, Mpofu said she would not overdo things.

“Don’t overdo things, don’t make silly mistakes, focus, they need to make sure Simba doesn’t score because any goal by the visitors would double the required goals.

“Joel will need to manage the game, keep possession and capitalise on any errors and pounce with goals because they have the lead,” added Mpofu.

Ncube who also featured for Mbabane Swallows and Manzini Wanderers also tipped Simba.

“Simba did what they ought to have done at home and can now afford to finish off the game and are more of a solid team cohesion wise but they should be cautious on Sunday.

“They play against a new look team with a new coach which can be both a positive and negative thing. On the negative side Nsingizini Hotspurs could lack cohesion while on the positive side the new players would want to prove themselves effectively.

“Simba have a good coach in Joel Luphahla who has seen it all as a player and is shaping up a good career as a coach of repute. He is not where he is by coincidence but by merit,” said Ncube.

Whichever way one looks at it, Sunday’s tie at Somhlolo National Stadium carries the ingredients of a potentially high-tempo match with swings not anything to rule out.

Meanwhile, Nsingizini Hotspurs public relations officer Mnotfo Dlamini has come out to justify his club’s decision to hike the entry charges for the game.

Dlamini, famed for his “Litawu bhama lidaladi” (the fence will burst) said in conforming to international football standards, the club hiked the gate charges to the Swazi football record of 80 rand, urging fans to come in their numbers.

“Last week we were in Botswana and the gate charges were pegged at 75 Pula which is almost equivalent to 80 emalangeni (rand), which is one of the international football standards thus we decided to peg the gate charges at 80 emalangeni which we believe is a fair figure.

“My appeal to the fans is that they come in their numbers, litawu bhama lidaladi (the fence will burst). We have set up various match ticket buying centres around the country to ease the pressure at the entry point,” said Dlamini.

In recent days, the Swazi football champions have been witnessing a significant patronage growth on the terraces and it will be seen if the gate charges hike will turn out to be a gamble gone wrong.