Simba Bhora . . . . . . . (2) 2
Chegutu Pirates . . . . (0) 0
SIMBA Bhora inched closer to winning their maiden Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title after beating Chegutu Pirates in an incident-free clash at Wadzanayi Stadium yesterday.
On a day title rivals faltered- — FC Platinum and Ngezi Platinum Stars drawing while Manica Diamonds lost — the win left the Shamva-based team with a nine-point lead at the top with seven games remaining.
Ishamel Nyanhi's seventh minute header off a Walter Musona cross and a simple tap-in from Mthokozisi Msebe in the 40th minute after some good work by Tymon Machope ensued that the Tonderai Ndiraya-coached team put one hand on the title.
The result also helped the team put behind Sunday's debacle, which saw their Chibuku Super Cup clash against Highlanders abandoned after the later's players protested the awarding of a penalty.
Ndiraya remained modest about his team's chances, although he admitted his team now holds an advantage in the title race.
“It was all about managing energy levels after the game we played against a top team in Highlanders on Sunday," said Ndiraya whose team face Ngezi Platinum Stars in a potentially title decider on Saturday.
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Simba Bhora are on 56 points, followed by FC Platinum who are a distant second on 47 points, while Ngezi Platinum Stars who has two games in hand are third on 42 points, the same number with Manica Diamonds.
Chegutu Pirates coach Takaendesa Jongwe was gracious in defeat.
"We gave it our best shot, remember they are the log leaders. They are a very strong side. We gave a good show, unfortunately we couldn't get the result we wanted," Jongwe said.
Pirates anchor the log, but Jongwe is not ready to throw in the towel just yet.
"Until we are mathematically out, we are going to fight. There are still 21 points to play for. We need to win matches."
Simba Bhora, desperate to win and keep the rivals at an arm's length, got an ideal start to the match when Nyanhi connected a cross from Musona.
Things almost got better moments later, but Msebe's shot from close range was blocked by the visitors' keeper Sydney Mozeka.
Simba continued to create some half chances, but it took the 40 minutes to increase their lead.
Machope did all the dirty work on the right after receiving a pass just after the centre line, beating his marker before placing the ball on the platter for Musebe to turn home from a metre out for his fifth goal of the season.
The hosts, perhaps, with the Ngezi Platinum game on Saturday in mind, slowed down things in the second half with Ndiraya pulling out some of his key figures including captain Walter Musona.
Chegutu Pirates finished the game strongly and creating better chances late on.
Substitute Tinotenda Ditima and Tinashe Mwafulirwa forced good saves from Simba Bhora goalkeeper Talbert Shumba in the dying minutes as they pushed for at least a consolation.
