By Sports writer
SIMBA BHORA coach, Joel Luphahla believes competition in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League is tougher this season.
His side was made to sweat for a 1-0 victory against Bikita Minerals at Wadzanai stadium in Shamva on Wednesday.
Ishmael Nyanhi’s first half goal settled the match to guarantee the Shamva outfit all the three points.
The win means, the defending champions will spend at least 24 hours at the summit of the log standings.
They are now on 32 points, a point more than MWOS, who hosts Caps United on Thursday.
However, Simba Bhora had to dig deep to overcome the Lithium boys and Luphahla feels there is better quality in the league this term.
“After Sunday’s game, I knew it was bound to happen,” said the former warriors winger.
“We were tired, Bikita also, you could see they were tired,”Luphahla added.
“I’m happy with the win, it puts us in a position where we want.
“It is a difficult season, teams are improving, if you see Bikita Minerals, the way they are playing, coming here and playing the way they did.
“It shows you the quality has improved, the quality is better this season.”
Navaya hits double digits
In Gweru, Washington Navaya scored in added time for TelOne to force a one all draw against ZPC Kariba.
The goal saw Navaya reaching double digits for the season with 10 goals, putting him clear on the goal scorers charts.
He now has one more than MWOS’ Billy Veremu, who is in second place.
TelOne coach, Hebert Maruwa was pleased that his side avoided defeat after trailing courtesy of a Stanley Ngala goal in the second half.
“I have been preaching this to the team the whole week, that ZPC will be hard to play,” he said.
“After that heavy loss, they needed to recover quickly, so they defended well and waited for the counter.
“For me, it is a point gained the boys played very well after we conceded and fought to get the goal.”
ZPC Kariba coach, Newton Chitewe was happy to get a point away from home.
“Coming from a heavy defeat, I’m happy that we got a point, it is an advantage to us,” said Chitewe.
Elsewhere, FC Platinum and Herentals settled for a point apiece in a goalless draw at Rufaro stadium.
Chicken Inn registered their first win of the season at home when they edged Ngezi Platinum Stars 1-0.
Highlanders returned to winning ways with a slender 1-0 away win at Manica Diamonds in Mutare.
