Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere at Luveve
Chicken Inn ……………………………..….. (0) 0
Simba Bhora …………………………………. (0) 1
DETERMINED Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) reigning champions Simba Bhora managed to break their two-year Luveve jinx when they edged hosts Chicken Inn 1-0 to collect maximum points.
In a match that was witnessed by an appreciative crowd, the visitors got their all-important goal soon after the start of the second half when a brilliant Isakar Guribab curled his effort from inside the box to beat a diving Donovan Bernard.
It indeed a sweet victory for the Go Buju-Go Boys who are under the guidance of ex-Warriors and Highlanders player Joel Luphahla.
“We knew coming here was going to be difficult. They were a lot of expectations and Chicken Inn did not make it easy for us. Football is a pressure game, it’s my first time to a head coach and prior to this match, the club president made it clear that we needed to win this match since Simba Bhora had not beaten Chicken Inn at Luveve Stadium,” said Luphahla.
“He also mentioned that we are the defending champions, and we need to collect three points of which we did. I’m happy we managed to break the jinx. However, I will stay calm,” said Luphahla.
Last season, Chicken Inn beat Simba Bhora 3-2 at Luveve and in the reverse fixture the latter prevailed over the former at home. In 2023, Gamecocks edged the Shamva based side 1-0 both in Bulawayo and at their home turf.
Luphahla’s opposite number, Joey Antipas conceded that they fell to a superior side.
“We were beaten by a better side, they have quality and seasoned players. Our plan didn’t work out well. We have away an easy early goal in the second half. It’s part of the game, you win and lose some. I thought we had done well in the earlier stages of the match, and I think when Muza (Brian) who was leading our attack came off we fizzled out,” said Antipas.
