MWOS . . . . . . . . . . .(0) 1
SIMBA BHORA . . . . . . 0
SIMBA Bhora’s stuttering start to the season reached a new low yesterday as the former champions slumped to their second consecutive defeat, going down to a resilient MWOS side at Ngoni Stadium in Norton.
The 2024 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions were once again haunted by chronic profligacy in front of goal, squandering three gilt-edged chances that could have changed the complexion of the match.
The Shamva-based side’s attack has become a major concern, with the team managing a meagre two goals in their opening seven fixtures.
The decisive moment arrived in the 60th minute through a comedy of errors.
A harmless-looking cross from Arthur Banda caused panic in the Simba Bhora box.
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Goalkeeper William Thole, seemingly caught in two minds, misjudged the flight of the ball completely. As he scrambled backward, the ball struck the unsuspecting Webster Tafa and rolled into the back of an empty net.
It was a nightmare repeat for coach Mandla Mpofu, whose side suffered a similar 1-0 heartbreak against Dynamos last week.
With a record of just two wins, three draws, and two defeats, the alarm bells are ringing loud, and a section of their frustrated fans is already calling for the former Highlanders gaffer’s head.
Despite the mounting pressure, Mpofu remained defiant in his post-match remarks.
"We are still a good team," Mpofu insisted. "We are still a championship team. We will redeem ourselves, bounce back, and make sure that we collect points going forward."
However, he did not hide his frustration regarding the defensive lapses and the lack of a clinical edge up front.
"Thole knows he could have done better. This is the second mistake that he has made. You expect a keeper to make one mistake in two or three years, but these have been costly. We also missed chances where I thought we could have done better as a team."
In stark contrast, MWOS are beginning to find their rhythm.
Yesterday’s victory marked their second win on the bounce following last week’s triumph over AGAMA, propelling them to seventh place on the log with 12 points.
Simba Bhora, meanwhile, have slid down to eleventh with 9 points.
MWOS coach Lloyd Mutasa admitted his side had to ride their luck against the former champions.
"Simba Bhora has never been easy against us. They had the lion's share of possession in the first half, but we regrouped well. We were lucky to get the goal that made the difference," Mutasa said.
Thole was forced into a sharp double save early on to deny Billy Veremu.
The best chance of the first half fell to Simba Bhora’s Claude Mapoka, who hesitated when clean through, allowing a MWOS defender time to recover.
Substitute Tapiwa Mandinyenya had a golden opportunity to equalise in the 85th minute from a corner kick, but he inexplicably turned his back on the ball, which deflected harmlessly off his shoulder.
Moments later, Cole Tsamba set up Never Tigere, whose cross was fired over the bar by Naweseb from point-blank range, sealing Simba Bhora’s fate.
Teams
MWOS: Baye, Nyabunze (Mutyambizi, 61'), Katsande, Manyamba, Mpofu (J Makangira, 46'), Kwangwari, Chinemo, George, Mlilo (Mudzuka, 61'), Banda (Mensah, 75'), Veremu (T Musariranwa, 46').
Simba Bhora: W Thole, W Tafa, N Tsabora (Tsamba, 76'), T Chipunza (L Leevi, 70'), B Ncube, S Damaseb, K Eib, I Nyanhi, B Ndereki (N Tigere, 70'), C Mapoka (T Mandinyenya, 46'), H Masina (M Naweseb, 46').
