Simba Bhora back on top

Zimpapers Sports Hub

AMBITIOUS Simba Bhora went back to the top of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League following a laboured 1-0 win over struggling Bulawayo Chiefs at Wadzanai Stadium yesterday.

Captain Walter Musona scored a brilliant free-kick after 23 minutes, which turned out to be the match winner.

The victory took Tonderai Ndiraya’s charges, who are unbeaten in Shamva, to 47 points from 24 matches.

FC Platinum, who face Bikita Minerals at Sakubva Stadium this afternoon, are second on 45 points from 23 matches.

Bulawayo Chiefs are 11th with 27 points from 24 matches and just three points above the drop zone, having played a game more.

At Rufaro Stadium, adventurous Erick “Camavinga” Dombo headed home the winner three minutes into optional time as Herentals beat GreenFuel 2-1.

Zibusiso Ruguchu had given Herentals the lead from a free-kick just before the half-time break.

Collins Duhwa equalised for the visitors in the 74th minute and the match looked set for a draw, as the GreenFuel goalkeeper started employing delaying tactics in the dying minutes.

The visitors were seemingly not keen on snatching the winner, switched off and allowed Dombo a free header from inside the box.

He was left unattended on the left as Herentals attacked on the right.

At Luveve Stadium, ZPC Kariba snatched a 1-0 win with a goal 13 minutes from time.

It had seemed nothing would separate the two teams until substitute Misheck Makaripe scored the only goal of the match in the 77th minute.

A minute before he scored, he had missed an empty net after failing to connect a Fanuel Shoko cross from the right.

He did not repeat the same mistake moments later, as he fired home yet another cross from the right.

ZPC Kariba coach Newton Chitewe was pleased with the victory.

“I thought we had an advantage in the first half. We continued pressing and we got the goal. I am happy for the scorer. It was his debut after we acquired his services during the mid-season. This victory gives us an advantage in the relegation battle,” he said.

With the victory, ZPC Kariba moved into position 10 on the table with 29 points.

Arenel are bottom of the table with 18, with coach Philani “Beefy” Ncube saying this was one of their worst performances this season.

“We did not come to the party. We struggled in all aspects of the game. We need to take stock and ask ourselves if we are ready to fight relegation. I will take the blame for the result. It was a game that we should have won,” he said.

Arenel missed some days of training and it showed on the field of play as their players looked jaded.

Despite both sides playing a poor first half, they looked better in the second.

But ZPC Kariba looked on top of the situation and had a good chance after 62 minutes of play, with Fanuel Shoko sending in a cross from the right, but Samuel Makawa could not direct his header on target.

Moments later, the visitors got a free-kick on the edge of the box and Shoko wasted the effort firing way over the bar.

In the 66th minute, Makawa made a brilliant run into the box but his shot found the side net.

Chilubyo Mkuli found himself with acres of space inside the box but could not compose himself enough in what was Arenel’s best chance of the game towards the final whistle.