Online Reporter
Oscar Rusenga in Chisumbanje
GreenFuel 0-0 Simba Bhora
CASTLE Lager Premier Soccer League champions Simba Bhora clung to top spot yesterday after being held to a goalless draw by a wasteful GreenFuel at the GreenFuel Arena.
The result was a relief for the Shamva side, who stretched their lead to two points thanks to Dynamos’ dramatic 3-2 win over Scottland at Rufaro. With seven matches left, Simba Bhora remain in control of their own destiny, even if their performance in Chisumbanje left more questions than answers.
GreenFuel carried the initiative from the start and should have buried the champions long before the final whistle. Their first clear chance came in the 17th minute when dead ball specialist Blessing Kagudu unleashed a fierce strike from just outside the box, but William Thole reacted sharply, punching clear with both fists.
Garikai Dematsika then went close after neat interplay with Chris Ngwende and Clive Rupiya, only to be denied by another composed Thole save in the 32nd minute. The lively Dematsika nearly broke the deadlock again five minutes before half-time, his curling shot shaving the post with Thole beaten.
Simba Bhora, by contrast, never registered a shot on target. Coach Joel Luphahla left top scorer Isaskar Gururab on the bench, preferring to congest the midfield, a gamble that backfired when he was later sent off by referee Lawrence Zimondi for dissent.
The champions looked blunt up front and captain Webster Tafa had to intervene with a desperate clearance just before half-time to stop Rupiya from finishing inside the six yard box.
GreenFuel did everything but score. Their dominance was reflected in chance after chance, but the finishing touch eluded them. The single point they collected did little for their survival hopes as they remain anchored in 16th place with 28 points from 27 games, a return that has left them staring at relegation.
Assistant coach Godfrey Tamirepi, admitted frustration after the final whistle.
“We really wanted an outright win. We were very much in control of the game in both halves and created a lot of good chances but we couldn’t make sure the ball crosses the line. We played well and in as much as we wanted all three points, we need to appreciate how the guys applied themselves in this fixture.
“We need to be focused and continue working hard like what we have been doing. We are playing well and we just need to work on our finishing and things will be okay.”
Teams
GreenFuel: Tatenda Chikowero, Reginald Chinemo, Honest Moyo, Blessing Kagudu, Robert Kwaramba, Collins Dhuwa (Washington Mapuwa 60), Clive Rupiya, Daren Mutimuzunze, Garikai Dematsika, Kudzai Ngwende (Perfect Chikwende 60), Ronald Chitiyo (Kibra Mhlanga 82).
Simba Bhora: William Thole, Webster Tafa, Nomore Tsabora, Blessed Ndereki (Isaskar Gururab 67), Tapiwa Mandiny-enya, Butholezwe Ncube, Boid Mutukure, Ishmael Nyanhi (Blessing Moyo 67), Emmanuel Ziocha (Never Tigere 85), Junior Makunike, Donald Mudadi (Mckinnon Mushore 67).
