Simba Bhora . . . . . . . (1)1
Triangle . . . . . . . . . . . (0)1
THE terminal malaise that has gripped Simba Bhora’s campaign shows no sign of lifting.
At Wadzanayi Stadium yesterday, the 2024 champions stretched their winless run to four matches, held to a frustrating draw by a relegation-threatened Triangle side who played the entirety of the second half with only 10 men.
For the hosts, it was a profound failure of nerve and tactical discipline.
Carlos Mavhurume’s 27th-minute header had given Simba Bhora a thoroughly deserved lead, offering a fleeting glimpse of an escape route from a bleak run that has included defeats to Chicken Inn and Herentals, alongside a draw with Caps United.
When the visitors — themselves winless in six fixtures and reeling from a comprehensive 3-0 thrashing by Dynamos last week — were reduced to 10 men just before the interval, the script seemed written.
Ariel Makopa was shown a straight red card by referee Lawrence Zimhondi in the 42nd minute for a cynical professional foul, hauling down Harrison Masina as the forward bore down on goal.
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Yet, instead of exploiting their numerical superiority, Simba Bhora froze.
They somehow permitted a depleted Triangle to dictate the tempo and rhythm of the second period, appearing entirely bereft of ideas.
The Shamva side had initially started with appropriate authority, controlling possession and probing with intent.
The breakthrough arrived when Mavhurume powerfully connected with an Adrian Silla cross following a smartly worked short corner.
They should have doubled their advantage a minute later. Blessed Ndereki expertly turned his marker and delivered an inviting ball into the path of Masina, only for his goal-bound effort to be bravely blocked by Jordan Pedra.
Whatever transpired in the dressing rooms at half-time, it was Triangle who emerged with renewed purpose.
They served notice of their intent in the 53rd minute when a loose ball fell to Jayden Bakari inside the penalty area, though his snapshot flew directly into the grateful embrace of goalkeeper William Thole.
It was a warning the home side failed to heed.
Two minutes later, Triangle were level.
Talent Chawapiwa, the former Warriors winger, delivered a precise cross that was elegantly side-footed home by Emmanuel Paga.
With Enock Karembo comfortably bossing the midfield exchanges despite the vacancy beside him, Triangle looked the far more threatening outfit. Bakari twice squandered excellent opportunities to secure an unlikely victory, leaving the visitors to feel aggrieved that they left with merely a point.
The post-match assessment from Simba Bhora coach Mandla Mpofu was scathing, with the manager openly conceding that his side were fortunate to escape with a draw.
“It's disappointing . . . very much disappointing,” Mpofu lamented. “We were a little bit sloppy in the first half, although we went with a goal ahead. Triangle worked for that other man who was not there.”
Mpofu’s frustration with his team's inability to kill off the contest was palpable.
“We didn't do as expected in terms of putting pressure on our opponents as much as possible so that we can get a cushion goal. Triangle worked hard, and they were unlucky because they could have scored the second goal. We were just more in numbers, but not organised, and no communication.”
The result sees Simba Bhora languishing in ninth position on the log standings with 21 points, seven points adrift of the league leaders.
For Triangle, while the performance offers a blueprint for survival, they remain mired in deep trouble, sitting second from the bottom with just nine points.
The road ahead offers no respite for Mpofu’s stuttering side.
Simba Bhora must urgently pull up their socks; they face log leaders Hardrock next, before concluding their first-half fixtures against a formidable Ngezi Platinum Stars.
Teams
Simba Bhora: W Thole, W Tafa, K Eib, I Nyanhi, N Tsabora, A Silla (N Tigere, 70'), T Chipunza, B Ndereki (A Leevi, 70') C Mavhurume (M Naweseb, 70'), H Masina (T Mandinyenya, 46'), C Mapoka (P Simaneka, 46').
Triangle: P Nyabunga, T Mchisa, K Mangisa, J Pedra, A Makopa (redcard, 42'), R Ngazina (A Zeka, 46'), E Karembo, T Chawapiwa (N Chintuli, 60'), E Paga, J Bakari (A Dzangai, 92'), T Chatuluka (J Dzingai, 46')
