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Grace Chingoma
Senior Sports Reporter
Simba Bhora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1)1
Bulawayo Chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1)1
SIMBA Bhora failed to collect maximum points for the fifth game on the run but were happy with the way they fought at the National Sports Stadium yesterday in the drawn game against Bulawayo Chiefs.
The Shamva side built on their solid performance against Highlanders at Barbourfields last weekend to force a point against the most consistent team in the league at the moment.
Chiefs had come into the game on the back of four straight wins and looked to continue with the form when they got the opener from Farau Matare in the 35th minute.
But returning to their adopted home where they lost two consecutive matches the last time they were in Harare, Simba Bhora managed to come from behind and hold the visitors.
Veteran midfielder Blessing Moyo scored a perfect free kick in the 42nd minute which beat Chiefs goalkeeper Khulekani Dube and cancelled out Matare’s earlier goal, which had come against the run of play from a fine assist by Billy Veremu.
Although coach Tonderai Ndiraya was disappointed that his troops failed to collect maximum points at home, he was impressed with the manner they fought.
The Premiership debutants last won a match at the National Sports Stadium on April 14 when they beat Hwange 2-0.
“I think it was a difficult one but an interesting match. Of course, a bit disappointed, we couldn’t collect maximum points at home. But at the same time, I have to give it to the players for the manner they fought today.
“This is a team which was in top form, they had gone for about four matches without dropping points. But we showed some bit of character, we went behind and of course, fought to come back into the game,” said Ndiraya.
Ndiraya said injuries to some of their key personnel were contributing to their scoring woes. “Second half we really wanted to push but in the end, we couldn’t penetrate and create the chances that we needed to create to score goals.
“It is something that we are a bit worried about. We have not been scoring, we scored today but goals have not really been flowing for us. It has been difficult because some of our top strikers were injured, we then had to bring some of them back into the fold.
“Kuda Mangami was injured, Aboubakar still out, we saw Tinashe Balakasi back again to the fold today. They are coming back still finding their feet and hopefully, in the games to come, they will put on their scoring boots and score for the team. If you want to win a game, win matches you really have to score, and we have not been scoring much and it is a cause for concern,” he said.
Ndiraya said although he was satisfied with the performance of some of his players, some players need to pull their weight to justify their being part of the team.
“We wanted maximum points so the journey continues. It has not been easy for us in the league but I am glad that thus far we have done well obviously not exactly where we really wanted to be, but we are pushing and hopefully, in the next games to come we can really push to the limit and get the much-needed victory.
Lizwe Sweswe said after the performance by both teams a draw was the fairest result.
The visitors created a number of chances with former Warriors skipper Danny Phiri turning the hands of time as he dictated play in the middle of the park.
“It was a fair result. I think both teams played and you could see the chances which we created. But overall, I am happy about the team away from home and we got something, a point. Overall they did very well, created chances,” said Sweswe. The former FC Platinum gaffer who is doing well with his charges says it is still a work in progress. Amakhosi collected 12 points in 360 minutes of play, winning against Sheasham (2-0), Yadah (2-1), Hwange (0-3) and Dynamos (2-3). “It is still work in progress, we are pushing. It’s a newly assembled team, some guys are from Division Two and some are from Division One. I think they have conducted themselves correctly, especially the run of five or six games without a defeat. I think they are doing very well and we hope they will continue working hard,” said Sweswe.
Teams
Simba Bhora: S Chinani, B Moyo (H Chikosa, 78th min), V Musarurwa, W Tafa, P Jaure, T Chipunza, V Kawe, S Maramwidze, I Nyanhi (A Manenji, 56th min), K Mangami (T Balakasi, 65th min), N Mangezi (A Mandinyenya, 56th min).
Bulawayo Chiefs: K Dube, A Ncube (M Gasela, 33rd min), W Stima, M Mkolo, N Ncube, B Rusinga, D Phiri, M Msebe, B Veremu (O Chirinda, 78th min), F Moyo, F Matare (N Gama, 87th min).
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