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Eddie Chikamhi, Senior Sports Reporter
SIMBA BHORA coach Tonderai Ndiraya will go into battle against Chicken Inn at Wadzanai this afternoon with his spirits high after he was crowned the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Coach of the Month for the third month running.
CAPS United forward William Manondo was voted Player of the Month according to the September results announced by the organisers yesterday.
But it is Ndiraya who is flying high, having also won the same accolade in July and August, underlining the dominance by his side in this crucial stretch of the championship title race.
Ndiraya’s side are on a 12-match unbeaten streak with their last defeat coming on June 22, which is over three months ago.
The coach was rewarded particularly for the team’s run of two wins and a draw in the month of September.
No other side has managed to equal or surpass the seven points they collected during the period under review.
Ndiraya, who has enjoyed his best moments in his coaching career with the Shamva side this year, will be out on the hunt this afternoon against Chicken Inn.
Although they have managed an impressive 14-match unbeaten run at Wadzanai, the Gamecocks are likely to give them a fitting test to their title resolve.
Simba Bhora currently sit on top of the table with a seven-point cushion over second-placed FC Platinum, going into the last seven games of the season.
They collected a vital away point against defending champions Ngezi Platinum Stars in their last match at Baobab.
But they expect more as they come back home to Wadzanai, which they have turned into a cauldron after winning 12 and drawing two games.
Big teams like Dynamos, Highlanders, former champions FC Platinum and Manica Diamonds are among the casualties that have fallen at Wadzanai as Simba Bhora flexed their muscles at home.
The 2015 champions Chicken Inn could become the first team to breach the trend if they managed to get the three points.
However, Joey Antipas’ men have been inconsistent this season.
With one win in their last five games, the Gamecocks cannot be vouched for. But they are capable of upsetting the apple-cart.
The Gamecocks do not have nothing much to play for except a strong finish after falling sixth on the log standings while Simba Bhora have the extra incentive of a possible league title on the horizon.
Eighteen points separate the teams on the log standings after Simba moved to 59 with the goalless draw at Ngezi Platinum while Chicken Inn landed on 39 following the 2-0 win over Bulawayo Chiefs last week.
Fixtures
Today: GreenFuel v Manica Diamonds (GreenFuel Arena), Simba Bhora v Chicken Inn (Wadzanai), TelOne v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Ascot), Yadah v Arenel Movers (Heart Stadium), Bulawayo Chiefs v Herentals (Luveve).
Tomorrow: Dynamos v CAPS United (Rufaro), Highlanders v ZPC Kariba (Barbourfields), Hwange v FC Platinum (Colliery), Chegutu Pirates v Bikita Minerals (Baobab)
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