THE alarm bells may be ringing with increasing volume around Simba Bhora, but the Shamva-based outfit's head coach Mandla Mpofu remains steadfastly unmoved.
Despite a bleak run of form that has seen his side drift from the Premier League’s pacesetters, Mpofu insists there is no reason to press the panic button just yet.
On Sunday, Simba Bhora were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by relegation-threatened Triangle.
It was a bitter result, given that the visitors played the entirety of the second half with 10 men, compounding a terminal malaise that has now stretched Simba Bhora’s winless run to four matches.
Before Sunday’s stalemate, a stagnant month had already yielded defeats to Chicken Inn and Herentals, alongside an equally unsatisfying draw with Caps United.
The recent slump has seen the club slide down to ninth in the league standings with 21 points.
Crucially, they now trail log leaders Hardrock by seven points after 15 rounds of matches — a deficit that feels significant in a remarkably congested title race where four teams sit tied at the summit on 28 points.
"Obviously, there is a little bit of pressure to win games," Mpofu admitted, confronting the mounting scrutiny head-on.
- Chicken Inn knockout Harare City
- FC Platinum 8 points clear as Chicken Inn falters again
- Panashe Mutasa comes of age at Tenax FC
- Dynamos back to winning ways
Keep Reading
"We need to dig deep to make sure that we start winning games as soon as possible. But I don't think we can press the panic button now. We need to start winning so that we redeem ourselves."
The former Highlanders coach retains a firm belief that the current gap is entirely surmountable, pointing to the mathematical reality of a season that still has a long way to run.
"We are not far off the mark in terms of competing. We still have plenty of time to compete," he said.
While the court of public opinion begins to lean heavily on Mpofu, he does not lack mitigating factors.
Upon his arrival at the start of the campaign, the coach was dealt a difficult hand, forced to contend with the departure of five regular first-team players to rival clubs.
What followed was an extensive, expedited rebuilding project, featuring a long list of new arrivals, including five foreign acquisitions.
Forging cohesion from such drastic upheaval takes time — a luxury modern football rarely affords.
"Some of the players are new to the culture, so in terms of integrating them, it's not easy," Mpofu reflected.
Despite the teething problems, the Simba Bhora boss hinted that he may opt for stability rather than further disruption when the mid-season transfer window opens, expressing faith in his current personnel.
"We will see when the window opens," Mpofu said.
"But I think the composition of the squad that we have is quite good and can compete until the end of the season. But we never know. Maybe we might get a Messi [Lionel] somewhere."
Whether or not an Argentine saviour materialises, Mpofu’s immediate reality requires a rapid tactical solution.
The fixture list offers no respite. Next up is a daunting trip to Chahwanda Stadium this weekend to face league leaders Hardrock.
The hosts themselves are navigating a bizarre narrative arc, having seen their fixture against Dynamos abandoned a fortnight ago. Hardrock currently sit top on superior goal difference over Scottland, Herentals, and Caps United, while they await a definitive ruling from the Premier League disciplinary committee next week.
For Simba Bhora, the challenge of the leaders is swiftly followed by a midweek clash against Ngezi Platinum Stars to conclude their first-half fixtures.
If Mpofu’s side are to prove their coach right and close the gap, their redemption arc must begin now.
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League matchday 16 fixtures
Friday: FC Hunters v Bulawayo Chiefs (Heart).
Saturday: Agama v Chicken Inn (Wadzanayi), Ngezi Platinum Stars v MWOS (Baobab), TelOne v Highlanders (Ascot), Herentals v Scottland (Rufaro).
Sunday: Caps United v ZPC Kariba (Rufaro), Triangle v FC Platinum (Gibbo), Manica Diamonds v Dynamos (Sakubva), Hardrock v Simba Bhora (Chahwanda).
