Simba Bhora ease relegation woes
SIMBA BHORA eased their relegation worries after posting their biggest win of the season at Green Fuel Stadium in Chisumbanje yesterday.
Tymon Machope, Albert Manenji and substitute Alexander Mandinyenya were on target as Tonderai Ndiraya’s side registered a second consecutive win that pushed them to 29 points.
Green Fuel, who were playing their second game at their recently opened home ground, missed a number of chances, including a late penalty.
Collins Dhuwa’s 85th-minute effort from the spot was punched away by an alert Simba Chinani. Ndiraya was a relieved man after the match, as he thought his boys had won against all the odds.
“It was an emphatic victory. It was really difficult for us. We were playing against the distance; we were playing against the heat,” said Ndiraya.
Simba Bhora travelled just over 500km to Chisumbanje. The Shamva side are now five points clear from the relegation zone.
“What more can you ask for when you produce a good result under those conditions?”
Simba Bhora and Green Fuel are now tied on 29 points. The hosts failed to reproduce the same performance that saw them post a victory over Sheasham in their first game at the Chipinge venue two weeks ago.
However, their coach Rodwell Dhlakama thinks his boys will rise in the league’s homestretch.
“It’s (defeat) difficult to comprehend, especially given the position that we are on the log,” he said.
“I thought we controlled the game in the first half but they scored against the run of play. We thought we would recover in the second half but, again, they scored against the run of play. They got an assurance goal and that was it.”
The veteran gaffer should, however, be credited for transforming Green Fuel into a competent side.
The team was in the relegation zone when he took over in April.
But yesterday, he failed to work his magic, as Simba Bhora grabbed an early lead in the 13th minute through Machope.
He placed the ball beyond the reach of Chris Mverechena after he was fed by the lively Ronald Chitiyo. Manenji then doubled the lead with a long-range strike that went in off the post in the 49th minute. Substitute Mandinyenya then put the game to bed when he found the target from close range.
He was given room to control the ball before hitting home on the turn, nine minutes from time. Four minutes later, Green Fuel were awarded a penalty by referee Jimmy Makwanda after Dhuwa was felled in the box. TEAMS:
Green Fuel: C. Mverechena, T. Pfende, T. Gora, M. Phiri, H. Moyo, T. Mutyambizi, C. Dhuwa, R. Uchena, N. Ndlovu (R. Chinemo 70), W. Mapuwa, N. Mwasanga (J. Nguluve 59)
Simba Bhora:
S. Chinani, R. Kangadzi, T. Machope (S. Chatikobo 60) A. Manenji, R. Chitiyo (V. Kawe 75), I. Nyanhi, W. Tafa, T. Chipunza, B. Moyo, P. Jaure, T. Balakasi (A. Mandinyenya 75)