SIMBA BHORA . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
HERENTALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
TYMON Machope was once again on the score sheet as Simba Bhora beat Herentals at Baobab Stadium yesterday to virtually assure Premier League status next season.
The Tonderai Ndiraya coached side needed victory to end all lingering doubts surrounding their top-flight status and it took them 53 minutes to secure them the big victory when Machope arrowed a lovely shot across goalkeeper Nevermind Antonio into the bottom right corner.
The lanky striker, who joined the club during mid-season took his goal tally to seven in eleven matches he played, to lift Simba Bhora into eighth position on the log table with 39 points.
Four games remain in the season.
Herentals, who had Brighton Majarira missing from the penalty spot just after the half hour mark, are in sixth position with 45 points.
Ndiraya was full of praise for Machope who he believes has done enough to secure himself a spot on the Soccer Star of the Year calendar.
"Tymon is a very talented striker. Give him a half chance and he will score, and for him to score seven goals after joining the team during mid-season is massive. For him to go this far, to be behind the top scorer with only four goals shows the quality in him. For me, he has done well to be amongst the best 11 players in the land," Ndiraya said.
Herentals coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva conceded his side were second best.
"We had a bad day as a team today," Mutiwekuziva said
"We didn't play our normal game. We played an unusual game. I would attribute the poor form to the break that we had last week. The players got complacent because they think we have already survived. We also had the misfortune of missing a penalty which summed up our day today."
Teams
Simba Bhora: S Chinani, P Jaure, W Tafa, T Chipunza, B Moyo (V Musarurwa, 33'), A Manenji, H Manatsa (A Mandinyenya, 47'), V Kawe, I Nyanhi (S Chatikobo, 86'), T Machope (I Mauchi, 85'), T Balakasi
Herentals: N Antonio, B Phiri, B Majarira, P Chota, T Jim (J Zhuwawo, 80'), A Maliselo (C Gobvu, 60'), W Kapumha, I Benza (S Murove, 55'), M Chimedza (B Majarira, 55'), G Chinobva, T Benza