Simba Bhora stretch PSL lead

Bruce Chikuni – Sports Reporter

Simba Bhora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2) 2

Chegutu Pirates . . . . . . . …. . . . . .. .. .0

SIMBA Bhora are simply not taking any prisoners in their quest for a maiden Castle Lager Premier Soccer League championship title.

Yesterday they took another giant leap towards that bid when also extending their unbeaten run at their fortress at Wadzanayi in Shamva.

Their latest victims were Chegutu Pirates, who are on the opposite end of Simba Bhora on the log standings with the 2024 debutants now rooted at the basement of the table.

Simba Bhora who found their goals in the first half through Ishamel Nyanhi and Mtokozisi Msebe, also had their quest boosted by the results of their nearest rivals FC Platinum, Ngezi Platinum, and Manica Diamonds who all dropped crucial points in their assignments.

Before yesterday’s result, Simba Bhora were enjoying a seven-point lead over second-placed FC Platinum, which aided their cause when they stumbled to a 1-1 draw away at GreenFuel in Chisumbanje.

Defending champions Ngezi Platinum who are also in the championship picture and are third had to come from behind to force a 1-1 draw away at Bulawayo Chiefs.

Fourth-placed Manica Diamonds also had a Wednesday to forget when being stunned 1-0 at home by lowly ZPC Kariba.

The mid-week results gave the Shamva community all reasons to believe that the football gods are guiding them to the Promised Land.

With seven games to play, Simba Bhora just needs to win five of those fixtures to claim the title regardless of the results of other teams in the marathon.

Midfielder, Nyanhi gave the hosts just the kind of start they had hoped for when he struck, five minutes into the game.

Nyanhi comfortably directed Walter Musona’s cross with a glancing header from close range.

Chegutu Pirates were not shaken by the early setback as they looked determined to keep the hosts in check and put on a good fight.

Gift Saunyama’s strike from range was saved by goalkeeper Sydney Mozeka who was well-positioned to deal with the task.

Simba Bhora, however, ensured they cushioned their lead when Tymon Machope made a brilliant solo run and bulldozed his way into the box, releasing a low cross, which was buried by Msebe who had the easiest of tasks to slot home in the 36th minute.

Msebe is now on five league goals for Simba Bhora.

Simba Bhora then appeared content with their two-goal lead as they lacked the zeal to extend their advantage in the early stages of the second half.

If anything, it was the visitors who showed much hunger to force a comeback but lack of precision in their offensive unit was their biggest letdown.

Chegutu Pirates trio of Gift Mwinga, Aaron Dzangai and Rapheal Manuvire tried to control the midfield battle for the better part of the second half.

Mwinga escaped a red card scare following a late tackle on Nyanhi in the 68th minute. The introduction of Perfect Chikwende injected life in Simba Bhora’s attack as he announced his arrival with a goalscoring opportunity for Machope, who was denied by the upright with only the goalkeeper to beat on 80 minutes.

Simba Bhora goalkeeper Talbert Shumba was also alert to smother Tinotenda Chiunye’s strike from distance.

Pirates kept probing especially in the last 10 minutes but they still lacked the cutting edge. Simba Bhora coach, Tonderai Ndiraya, praised his charges for a spirited fight.

He also admitted that Chegutu Pirates were a different beast after the break.

“I will give this result to the boys because it is quite different to play two games in four days, we could have scored more.

“But I also feel that Chegutu Pirates had a good second half and in the end, we had to defend to make sure that we do not concede a goal,” Ndiraya said.

“We freshened up our team a little bit, we made four changes from the team that played against Highlanders last week in the Chibuku Super Cup and I thought we showed good energy.

“But in the second half, it was evident that our players were getting tired that is why we pulled out some of our key players because we have a crucial game at the weekend against Ngezi Platinum,” said Ndiraya.

His Chegutu Pirates counterpart, Takaendesa Jongwe, has refused to count his men out yet even as they are rooted at the bottom and are nine points away from safety.

“Mathematically, we still have a chance to survive relegation and I believe it is too early to count us out.

“A lot can happen in the next seven matches it is just unfortunate that today we lost against a team which is hungry for the championship but we have to start grinding results,” said Jongwe.