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Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
PRESSURE could be gradually mounting in his camp as he braces to face a familiar, yet tricky opponent, but Simba Bhora coach Joel Luphahla remains unfazed and calm of a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League stern test at Rufaro.
Instead, the lanky coach believes his champions will be ready when they visit Harare giants Dynamos at Rufaro on Sunday.
The Premiership programme resumes on Saturday following a FIFA international break and focus will fall on Simba Bhora who will be out to defend the title they won when they surprised everyone with a fine 2024 campaign.
Simba Bhora have already shown that they will take some beating as they are the only side in the Premiership still to concede a goal so far.
They are, however, still to reclaim the sharpness they had in attack last year and have scored once in their two draws and a win they have managed in the opening three games.
Their hosts – Dynamos – have recorded three draws, having scored once and conceded a single goal in those matches. It will be the second time that Luphahla will be facing Dynamos and coach Lloyd Chigowe, with whom shared notes and tactics last season when he was an assistant to the DeMbare gaffer. Luphahla’s first visit to face Dynamos at Rufaro was in the Castle Challenge Cup, in which his Shamva outfit came a cropper, losing 5-3 in the penalty shoot-out lottery after the two sides had been tied 1-1. Given that both Dynamos and Simba Bhora are desperate for points, Luphahla is bracing for an explosive game.
“It will not be an easy outing, in fact it is always tough to face an opponent that you have worked with before because they have a deep understanding of who you are and how you operate,” said Luphahla.
“However, we are running separate races now and each man focuses on his own targets so we do not want to lose focus or get carried away by the pressure that comes with playing such games.
“We have a record to maintain, we have not conceded so far this season and it will be phenomenal if we can pick another clean sheet but we also need to score goals and win the game.”
Although on paper Simba Bhora, have more depth and quality, Luphahla who is also in his first year as a top-flight head coach refuses to read much into those statistics.
Simba Bhora brought in veteran goalkeeper Tonderayi Mateyaunga and William Manondo, who arrived from CAPS United, Blessed Ndereki (Yadah Stars), First Gandisani and Chris Makambira (Bikita Minerals), Carlos Mavhurume, Never Tigere and Tinotenda Meke who were signed from Ngezi Platinum Stars.
Veteran Liberty Chakoroma was signed from Manica Diamonds, Marlvin Hwata (Chicken Inn) while the duo of Donald Mudadi and Emmanuel Ziocha came from Dynamos.
Luphahla added that he would be taking a different approach to Sunday’s match when compared to how they prepared for the Castle Challenge Cup final.
“That was our first game from the off-season and as a new team, so obviously we had a lot to look into.
“We had the opportunity to weigh ourselves in a competitive game earlier than other teams and I am sure that with the three games that we have played so far we have learnt and adjusted a lot.
“Having the best team on paper is one thing, but bringing the results is another so we are focusing on getting the maximum points now and this game is no exception,” Luphahla said.
Simba Bhora are in sixth place with five points, and are seven places ahead of Dynamos (three points).
Online Reporter