Simba Bhora open 5-point lead

Zimpapers Sports Hub 

Simba BHORA extended their lead at the top of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League with a 1-0 win over Bikita Minerals at Wadzanai Stadium yesterday, while closest rivals FC Platinum scrambled a 1-1 draw against ZPC Kariba.

Last weekend, Simba Bhora were 1-0 winners at home, while FC Platinum suffered a 1-0 defeat against Bikita Minerals, giving Tonderai Ndiraya’s log leaders a five-point advantage inside two matches.

FC Platinum led by a point after 23 games and now trail by four points after 25 games.

A 32nd minute goal from captain Walter Musona, who now has nine league goals, was all Simba Bhora needed to sit comfortably at the top.

At Nyamhunga Stadium, Wilfred Muvirimi headed home the equaliser for FC Platinum in the fifth minute of injury time, connecting a corner by fellow second-half substitute Panashe Mutimbanyoka to cancel a 59th minute goal by Fanuel Shoko for hosts ZPC Kariba.

At the Heart Stadium, 10-man Ngezi Platinum Stars ended their five-match winless streak as they marked their return to the domestic premiership in style after a short stint in the CAF Champions League, with a 2-0 victory against Yadah FC.

Second-half goals from Obriel Chirinda and substitute Tinotenda Murasiranwa ensured that the platinum miners kept their title aspirations alive.

Ngezi Platinum Stars were booted out of the CAF Champions League last Sunday in the DRC, and coach Takesure Chiragwi was full of praise for his charges for putting the painful exit behind them.

“It was very important that we managed to get a win after our painful exit from the Champions League and I am happy that the boys gave more than 100 percent effort in the match. The win will give the team confidence going forward,” he said.

Yesterday’s win by the defending champions was their first in six matches, having last won on July 3 against Arenel Movers at home.

In their five-match winless streak, Ngezi Platinum managed a single goal. Scoring two goals yesterday was a big relief for Chiragwi and his charges.

“We had to take responsibility as a team for our shortcomings. Apart from playing good football, we needed to score goals and I am happy that we managed to score two goals today (yesterday),” said Chiragwi.

Yadah FC coach Thomas Ruzive blamed the defeat on his charges’ poor conversion rate.

“We created a lot of chances, which we failed to convert, and in a game of football, if you fail to convert your chances, you are bound to be punished and that is what happened,” he said.

At the Green Fuel Arena, the hosts and CAPS United played some entertaining football under unusually chilly conditions to settle for a 2-2 draw.

Adrian Silla scored from the spot in the third minute after a CAPS United defender brought down Garikai Dematsika inside the box in full view of Masvingo-based referee Jimmy Makwanda, who pointed to the spot.

CAPS United recovered and equalised in the 43rd minute through a combination of their back four, with Murwira passing to Kangwa, whose fantastic switch connected to Hastings Chapusha, who brought in a cross headed in by Eric Manokore.

Green Fuel went ahead just after the hour mark, Collins Dhuwa scoring the easiest of goals after good work on the right flank by Reginald Chinemo.

The home side could have killed the game as a contest, but after beating the offside trap, Young Warriors forward Washington Mapuwa was in disbelief as his effort hit the bar, with Ashley Rayners a beaten man in the 69th minute.

Green Fuel were dealt a hard blow as they conceded just a minute later, with Jayden Bakari converting from a Phineas Bhamusi cross and that was the last action in front of goals.

At Luveve Stadium, TelOne scored in injury time through Kudzai Jason to force a 1-1 draw against hosts Bulawayo Chiefs, who had looked set for maximum points after a 32nd minute goal from Panashe Shoko.

Results

Bulawayo Chiefs 1-1 TelOne; Greenfuel 2-2 CAPS United; Simba Bhora 1-0 Bikita Minerals; Yadah 0-2 Ngezi Platinum; ZPC Kariba 1-1 FC Platinum

Today: Dynamos v Chegutu Pirates (Rufaro); Highlanders v Herentals (Barbourfields); Hwange v Chicken Inn (Colliery); Manica Diamonds v Arenel Movers (Sakubva)