Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
SIMBA Bhora fullback Nomore Tsabora, who won the hearts of the football faithful on his team’s last visit to Harare, will not be part of the cast when the 2024 champions face Herentals in a Castle Lager Premiership match at Rufaro tomorrow.
Tsabora is among the five players that are serving yellow card suspensions this week.
Also on the list is Dynamos’ midfielder Anotidaishe Gwatidzo, Joseph Thulani of Chicken Inn and the TelOne duo of Alan Chapanduka and Prince Milanzi.
Tsabora has been a consistent performer for Simba Bhora and was key in the side’s recent revival.
In fact, team coach Mandla Mpofu will have to do without two key players as midfielder Butholezwe Ncube is still nursing a knock he suffered two weeks ago.
“Yes, it can be a setback, but I think we’ve got a good pool of players. I guess whoever will get an opportunity will make sure that he will do duty and play for the badge as much as possible.
“We have to live without the two important players and we have to move forward. It’s one of those things that we always meet. And I know how much, especially Tsabora, how much important he has been in terms of how we want to play.
“He has been very consistent, but as I said, there’s nothing that we can do. There are things that we can’t control.
“The most important thing is to make sure that whoever is going to play in his place, we encourage him and we psyche him up so that we play well as a team,” said Mpofu.
Tsabora was in brilliant form the last time Simba Bhora visited Harare and claimed a brilliant 2-1 comeback victory over reigning champions Scottland.
The fullback had a big hand in deciding the destiny of the match as he provided the two assists for Harrison Masina and Namibian forward McCarthy Naweseb.
Simba Bhora have enjoyed good form recently, winning three of their last five matches. But they lost to Chicken Inn and then drew with log leaders CAPS United in their last match at Wadzanai.
Teenage forward Cole Tsamba scored a late goal to rescue a point in the 1-1 stalemate.
Simba Bhora, who lost about half dozen key players just before the start of the season, are showing signs of recovery, with 20 points from 13 games.
They trail log leaders CAPS United by seven points and could further slash the difference. Herentals, however, are not easy opponents.
“I think it’s a game that is different from the game that we played our last time when we played Rufaro. But we have done well in terms of our preparation.
“We have studied our opponents as much as possible and we are pressured to win, to keep that momentum, to keep ourselves within the leading pack.
“So, it’s a game that we are coming with pressure to win, playing a team that is playing well and is playing better than us (on the log standings),” said Mpofu.
Simba Bhora are currently seventh on the log standings with 20 points, while Herentals are on 22 points and in fifth place.
The Students are led by the current top goal scorer Ralph Kawondera who has netted eight goals in 13 outings.
Castle Lager Premiership Fixtures:
Today: Herentals v Simba Bhora (Rufaro), Agama v ZPC Kariba (Wadzanai), Ngezi Platinum Stars v Bulawayo Chiefs (Baobab), Chicken Inn v Scottland (Barbourfields)
Tomorrow: FC Hunters v TelOne (Heart), Hardrock v Dynamos (Chahwanda), Manica Diamonds v Highlanders (Sakubva), Triangle v MWOS (Gibbo)
Monday: CAPS United v FC Platinum (Rufaro)
