Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira, Zimpapers Sports Hub
SIMBA BHORA coach Joel Luphahla has drawn a firm line ahead of Saturday’s clash with Highlanders, declaring there will be no favours for his boyhood club when the two sides meet at Wadzanayi Stadium.
Luphahla, who made his name in the famous black and white of Bosso, has deep emotional ties to the Bulawayo giants. But as the reigning champions chase what’s left of their fading title dream, he insists professionalism will come before sentiment.
“It’s a tough game playing Highlanders. We know their situation in the league. It puts me in the spotlight, given my connection with Highlanders, but there are no favours, we need to be professional and compete in a professional manner. If they are to win, they have to play better than us,” said Luphahla.
Simba Bhora trail log leaders Scottland by six points with just three games left. Their title defence has gone off track after two losses and a draw in their last three outings, leaving Luphahla searching for answers.
“It’s a game of mixed emotions since we haven’t won in a long time. It’s high time we bounced back to winning ways. We haven’t done well since getting knocked out of the CAF Champions League, and we need to find a solution to that problem,” he said.
“We have to find out where we lost it and try to get back to our best. We already lost one home game this season against CAPS United, and we can’t lose again. It’s unfortunate that we lost form at the wrong time in this campaign.”
Despite their slump, Luphahla refuses to surrender.
“With nine points still to play for, we can’t throw in the towel now. We’re still in the race. We’re going to find solutions. We need to know how to finish games, learn to start our season well and finish strongly,” he said.
While Simba Bhora fight to stay in the title picture, Highlanders are in an unfamiliar position, fighting to stay in the topflight. Bosso are hovering dangerously close to the relegation zone and will be desperate to recover after their Chibuku Super Cup heartbreak last weekend, where they fell to Dynamos on penalties.
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Fixtures Saturday
TelOne v Greenfuel (Ascot Stadium); MWOS v Triangle (Ngoni Stadium); Chicken Inn v CAPS United (Luveve Stadium); Manica Diamonds v Ngezi Platinum (Sakubva Stadium); Simba Bhora v Highlanders (Wadzanayi Stadium); Herentals v Yadah Stars (Rufaro Stadium); ZPC Kariba v FC Platinum (Nyamhunga Stadium)
Sunday
Kwekwe United v Scottland (Ascot Stadium)
Dynamos v Bikita Minerals (Rufaro Stadium)
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