Online Reporter
Lawrence Moyo
REIGNING Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions, Simba Bhora have had the most player suspensions over the latest seven matchdays as they seek to retain the title after a slow start.
Second-placed Simba Bhora visit Herentals at Rufaro tomorrow without the services of Butholezwe Ncube who is serving a one match suspension after accumulating three yellow cards.
Last week, Simba Bhora were held to a 1-1 draw at home to ZPC Kariba without goalkeeper William Thole and defender, Isheanesu Mauchi who were serving a one-match suspension for accumulating three yellow cards.
Thole and Mauchi joined Junior Makunike, Blessed Ndereki and Ronald Kangadzi who have been suspended between Matchday 14 and 17 for accumulating yellow cards.
The six suspensions in seven matchdays put Simba Bhora top of the standings, one more than their opponents tomorrow, Herentals College who have had five suspensions between Matchday 14 and Matchday 20.
Over the past six matches, the new-look Simba Bhora collected 12 points from three victories and three draws to keep pressure on early pacesetters, MWOS in what is promising to be an explosive title race.
Simba Bhora were among the first set of suspensions on Matchday 5 together with Bikita Minerals and Chicken Inn as long-serving wingback Ishmael Nyanhi joined Lincoln Mangaira (Chicken Inn) and Courage Bera (Bikita Minerals) on the sidelines.
It means they got yellow cards in three of the opening four matches of the 2025 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season.
In third place are CAPS United who have had four suspensions over the last six matchdays, the latest being Love Mabiala who missed the goalless draw at home to Greenfuel a fortnight ago.
Also on four suspensions between Matchday 14 and 20 are former Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions, Ngezi Platinum and Triangle United.
The other three include veteran Bruce Kangwa (Matchday17), Brian Kadamanja (Matchday 16) and Tanaka Shandirwa (Matchday 15).
Meanwhile, only two teams have not had a suspension between Matchday 14 and 20, including Kwekwe United and Scottland.
Mathew Masinge