SIMBA Bhora are on the brink of winning this season’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League championship, but their next four league fixtures will measure their title credentials, according to club coach Tonderai Ndiraya.
The Shamva-based team moved nine points clear at the top of the log standings following a 2-0 win over Chegutu Pirates at Wadzanayi Stadium on Wednesday, on a day main rivals faltered.
Closest rival FC Platinum and third-placed Ngezi Platinum Stars could only manage draws at Green Fuel and Bulawayo Chiefs, respectively, while Manica Diamonds lost at home to ZPC Kariba.
First half goals from Ishmael Nyanhi and in-form star Mthokozisi Msebe, who netted his sixth goal of the season, ensured the Shamva-based team opened a considerable gap in the race, with seven rounds of matches remaining.
With the victory, Simba Bhora moved to 56 points, while FC Platinum are on 47 points.
Ngezi and Manica Diamonds are tied on 42 points going into the home stretch.
Ndiraya, while admitting that his side now holds an advantage in the race, is refusing to get carried away.
He believes the next four fixtures will be decisive in determining whether the trophy lands in Shamva.
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Go Buju Go, as the team is affectionately known, travel to Ngezi Platinum Stars tomorrow to start what appears on paper a very tough-looking run of matches.
After the Baobab trip, they host Chicken Inn, travel to bogey side Herentals in Harare before welcoming Caps United at their Wadzanayi fortress.
Ndiraya is losing sleep over these four fixtures.
“We are going to be facing tough teams in the coming weeks. Our next four matches are very difficult,” he said.
“That is really going to gauge our strength, but we are hoping that we can navigate and march towards the finishing line. In that run, we are playing three giants of Zimbabwe football, and like I said, that is going to test our strengths and depth.
“It’s going to be difficult. I don’t want to lie because there are still 21 points to play for. If it were five games to go, we were going to talk of something else, but seven games, really the race is still much on. Hopefully, we can navigate that terrain.”
On current form, Ndiraya’s men are favourites as they are simply unbeatable.
Simba Bhora are unbeaten in 11 league matches, winning a staggering nine of those to seize the initiative.
They have won 10 in all competitions while the other game, a Chibuku Super Cup quarterfinal match against Highlanders, was abandoned at a time they had been awarded a penalty.
In contrast, their title rivals have been huffing and puffing in the last couple of matches.
FC Platinum have three wins and four defeats in their last 11 league matches, while Ngezi Platinum Stars, who have two games in hand, won once in their last seven league outings.
Manica Diamonds have three wins in their last 15 matches.
Crucially, Simba Bhora will meet Ngezi Platinum Stars and FC Platinum in the title run-in.
“We just need to get results against the title rivals,” Ndiraya reckons.
Mathematically, Simba Bhora need at least four wins from the remaining matches to win the title without having to worry about results elsewhere.
But the former Dynamos and Ngezi Platinum coach remains cautious.
“There are seven matches to go and if we lose three matches and the other teams win their three games, then it would be game on,” Ndiraya said.
“But, of course, practically that is a bit difficult, so we just have to focus on what we are doing ourselves, that is trying to get results in the following matches.”
Matchday 28 fixtures
Tomorrow: ZPC Kariba v Green Fuel (Nyamhunga), Fc Platinum v Highlanders (Mandava), Arenel Movers v Hwange (Luveve), Herentals v Dynamos (Rufaro), Ngezi Platinum Stars v Simba Bhora (Baobab)
Sunday: Bikita Minerals v Manica Diamonds (Sakubva), Caps United v Yadah (Rufaro), Chicken Inn v Bulawayo Chiefs (Luveve), Chegutu Pirates v TelOne (Baobab)
