Chronicle EditorMugove Chigada, Zimpapers Sports Hub
RETURNING to Bulawayo with Simba Bhora, Joel Luphahla could have wished for a better homecoming, but he has been left with no choice but to address speculation surrounding his position at the club, stating he faces no ultimatum. This follows suggestions that his job was contingent on securing six points in matches against Manica Diamonds and Chicken Inn.
Instead of focusing on the pressure, Luphahla conveyed his gratitude for the continued support he receives from club president Simba “Buju” Ndoro and the chairperson as they work together to rebuild the squad.
“I was never given an ultimatum at all; they have supported me from day one. They see what we are trying to do. This is my first time as head coach, so obviously their support means a lot, but nobody ever said anything to me about that,” Luphahla said in an exclusive interview with Zimpapers Sports Hub.
Going into this season, Simba lost their coach Tonderai Ndiraya and almost their entire first XI, led by Soccer of the Year Walter Musona and striker Tymon Machope. Scotland were the biggest beneficiaries. Although Simba Bhora acquired good replacements, Luphahla argues that the players are still learning to play with each other.
“It’s never easy when you lose quality players who win the league,” said Luphahla.
Simba Bhora has so far won three games, drawn two, and lost one. They are fourth on the log with 11 points, three behind log leaders MWOS. Their 4-1 win over Manica Diamonds was perhaps a glimpse of the formidable team that could again be created in Shamva. Yet Luphahla insists they are yet to gel as a team.
“In football, it’s difficult to put a time frame on performances. We are lucky that while we are still putting together the pieces, we’re not losing that much. We are staying closer to the leading teams, and that alone gives confidence to the players. We hope that one day, not so long from now, the players will come to the party and start to put together better performances.”
During Ndiraya’s stint last year, Buju was on record demanding that the team achieve results to match the investment. This has earned him a reputation as an honest and caring but demanding director.
“The morale has always been there because the club president and the club chairman have supported us when we were not getting the desired results. That alone made the boys believe and stay closer to each other. We want to create a family so that these players can play for each other,” said the coach.
Simba Bhora managed eight points in their first six games of 2023, their first season in the league, and in 2024, when they were crowned champions, they had 13 points at this stage, two points better than their current situation.
“This will be the most difficult season for anyone competing in the PSL because of the composition of other teams we compete with. We are the defending champions, and that alone makes it even more difficult, but we can’t run away from competing, so we go out there and try to stamp authority,” said Luphahla.
In Luphahla, Simba have invested in perhaps one of the most potentially gifted coaches in Zimbabwe. At one stage, he guided TelOne to promotion from division one, and he also made a huge impact at Eagles in the second tier again. He has been assistant coach at Highlanders and assistant at Dynamos.
“At Eagles, I credit them for shaping me to be the coach I am today; I grew as a coach there, they taught me a lot. I also learned a lot, especially about football evolution, working with Mandla Mpofu at Bosso and then later with Brito. At Dynamos, Mablanyo allowed me to grow, he supported me and respected me so much,” said Luphahla.
The former Warriors star, however, is aware that he will be judged by results, and the better he shapes up, the better. Chicken Inn on Monday will be another tough test.
Londile Moyo
Online Reporter