Simba Bhora stumble in title run

By Henry Mhara | 9h ago

Simba Bhora coach Tonderai Ndiraya wore a brave face after the match. Ndiraya believes six points are still a big enough buffer that his team can successfully defend.

Herentals . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1

Simba Bhora . . . . . . . . . . 0

With second placed Fc Platinum beating Yadah, Simba Bhora's lead at the top of the log standings has been reduced to six points with four matches remaining.

A well rehearsed freekick saw Zibusiso Ruguchu lofting the ball over the wall with goalkeeper Talbert Shumba scrambling across goal to try and make a save as the Students stole all three points in a dramatic finale at Rufaro Stadium.

Simba Bhora coach Tonderai Ndiraya wore a brave face after the match. Ndiraya believes six points are still a big enough buffer that his team can successfully defend.

He admitted his team didn't play to the required standard yesterday.

"We were not really ourselves today. We didn't play like we really wanted to win the championship I must admit. In the end, a brilliant freekick made us drop all the points today," Ndiraya said.

"Overall, it was an average perfomance from the team. We need to pick ourselves up and do much better. I must also give credit to the team for going 12 matches without a defeat. Today we lost after 12 matches, we are not happy but we mustn't also not forget what these boys have done. We knew we would lose one day and what is important now is to pick ourselves up quickly and focus on the next assignment.

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"We still have a very good cushion, but that cushion can be maintained if we pick ourselves up quickly and show that we can do much better and be able to cross the line. We need to compete well in the next match so that we get back to winning ways."

Simba Bhora's next league match is against Caps United at Wadzanayi Stadium in a fortnight.

"It's not going to be an easy match against Caps United."

Herentals coach Paul Benza was over the moon as his side managed to conjure a revenge on a team that eliminated them from the Chibuku Super Cup.

"We are very happy because in the last three games we had managed to collect just one point so three points today was something that we really needed. We knew we needed to get at least either a draw or a win," Benza said.

In a game of very few chances, Simba Bhora's first meaningful chance came midway through the second half when some quick exchanges of passes ended with Junior Makunike testing Herentals keeper Takudzwa Chikosi with a scuffed effort from inside the box.

At the other end, Simba goalkeeper Shumba stunningly denied substitute Erick Dombo.

Tymon Machope glanced his header wide off a Walter Musona freekick before substitute Vasili Kawe had a shot blocked by a defender as Simba Bhora pushed for a breakthrough.

The match looked to be pettering to a draw when Herentals were awarded a freekick after Leato Dreamer was fouled just outside the box.

Ruguchu expertly lifted the ball over the wall into the back of the nets to break the Simba Bhora hearts.

Simba Bhora's attention will now turn to their Chibuku Super Cup semifinal clash at Ngezi Platinum at the weekend, but until then, this defeat will continue to sting. Ndiraya has fallen at the final hurdle in the league race before, something he will be desperately avoiding to repeat in the coming weeks.

There is still plenty of action to come in the title race but as of now, it's the log leaders who remain in the driving seat.

Teams

Herentals: T Chikosi, B Phiri, T Mupumha, M Mukiwa (E Dombo, 46'), B Majarira, T Benza (G Mukambi, 95'), M Brighton (L Dreamer, 65'), J Chitavira, Z Ruguchu, I Benza (A Maloselo, 46'), W Kapumha, B Kagudu.

Simba Bhora: T Shumba, W Tafa, I Mauchi, R Kangadzi (I Nyanhi, 46'), J Makunike (V Kawe, 65', T Chipunza, G Saunyama (A Manenji, 46') B Moyo, H Masina (P Chikwende, 46'), W Musona, T Machope.