DEFENDING champions Simba Bhora’s coach, Joel Luphahla, has expressed contentment despite his team’s crucial title challenge taking a minor hit.
The Shamva-based side could only manage a nil-all draw away at Triangle United at Gibbo Stadium on Sunday, a result that sees the team fall three points behind log leaders Scottland in the race for the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title.
Simba Bhora had gone into the fixture — a game in hand — hoping to secure a win and slash Scottland’s lead down to a point and keep their title defence firmly on track.
The draw, however, means the champions are now in second place with 56 points, three adrift of the pacesetters.
Luphahla was quick to look at the bigger picture, praising his squad's resilience and progress throughout the season.
“I’m happy with what these boys did,” he stated post-match. The coach admitted his side showed signs of
weakness early on, perhaps still reeling from recent setbacks.
“If you look at it, [in] the first 16 minutes, we were under pressure. I think we are still smarting from the two losses that we’ve had.”
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However, he noted a distinct improvement in the second half.
“But second half, you could see the team that we started with in the beginning; the belief was in the first half. I think the pressure, knowing that we are four points behind,” he noted, alluding to the psychological burden of chasing the leaders.
Luphahla also acknowledged the difficulty of their specific circumstance.
“I believe that the games in hand are always difficult. But the fact that we have now finished these games in hand, we are three points behind. We have 12 points to play for, three points behind.”
The coach couldn’t hide his pride in the team’s standing, considering their initial prospects.
“If you asked me 10 months ago, I don’t think anybody could have given us that chance to play where we are. These boys have played something brilliant.”
The draw leaves the title race finely poised with only four matches remaining. MWOS FC are third on 55 points, a point behind the champions.
Simba Bhora’s next challenge is a daunting away tie against Ngezi Platinum Stars at Baobab Stadium on Saturday. Ngezi Platinum, in fourth with 51 points, have recently revived its own slim title hopes and will provide a stern test.
Luphahla is optimistic about his team's ability to perform on the road.
“...we have seen that we can play well as long as we believe in that.”
The coach thanked the club’s supporters from Shamva, who made the long trip to Gibbo.
“They came here, and they can support the team. I think we draw a lot of strength from the support that they give us,” he said.
“I hope that they support us in these four games. We have two away games and then we have two at home. So, we want to try and make sure that we play for 12 points.”
The final stretch promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the Premier Soccer League season, with the current champions determined to fight until the very last whistle.
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League fixtures
Saturday
Scottland vs MWOS, Rufaro Stadium
Ngezi Platinum vs Simba Bhora, Baobab Stadium
Yadah vs ZPC Kariba, The Heart Stadium
Green Fuel vs Kwekwe United, Green Fuel Arena
FC Platinum vs TelOne, Mandava Stadium
Sunday
Highlanders vs Dynamos, Barbourfields Stadium
CAPS United vs Manica Diamonds, Rufaro Stadium
Triangle vs Chicken Inn, Gibbo Stadium
Monday 20 October
Bikita Minerals vs Herentals, Sakubva Stadium
