By Onward Gangata
SIMBA BHORA‘s 10 match unbeaten run came to an end after they suffered a demoralizing 2-0 away loss to TelOne on Wednesday.
The Castle Lager Premier Soccer League table toppers saw their lead at the top reduced to two points.
They are on 43 points, while second placed MWOS, who drew 1-1 against ZPC Kariba are on 41 points.
After a promising start to the match in which they threatened to overrun TelOne, the Shamva side plunged into an abyss in the second half.
TelOne midfielder, Milton Chimedza coolly finished off a sleek move that involved strikers Washington Navaya and Tawanda Macheke after 54 minutes.
Macheke then killed off the contest in added time, tapping from close range Navaya’s inviting cut back from the left.
The loss reminded Simba Bhora coach Joel Luphahla that his side is still far from retaining the title they won last year.
“I am one coach who is not a sour loser, well done to TelOne,” said Luphahla post match.
“There is a lot of pressure being at the top, everyone wants to beat you when you are top.
“We have to get used to it, they are the defending champions, at the end of the day, we have to get used to this. I can’t blame them for the loss.”
The former warriors winger reckons his charges have to be clinical in front of goals, especially in away matches.
“There were a lot of chances in the first half, at this stage we have to bury those chances especially in away games,” he added.
TelOne coach Hebert Maruwa reiterated that the Wifi boys are targeting the title this season.
He insists that his players have to keep up with the pressure that comes with the demands of challenging for the title.
“Football is a game of pressure, and we were not under any pressure,” Maruwa remarked.
“We have already declared our target that we want the big one.”
FC Platinum close in
Former league champions FC Platinum are closing in on the top spot with another victory over basement side Kwekwe United.
Two second half goals from Wilfred Muvirimi and Nickson Nyasulu sandwiched Emmanuel Mutimbanyoka’s consolation for Kwekwe.
The Zvishavane side are third on 37 points, six behind the leaders with game in hand.
“It’s the first time for us to win three games in a row,” said FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza.
In Kariba, ZPC Kariba and MWOS played out a 1-1 draw, while Herentals edged Chicken Inn 1-0 at Rufaro stadium.
Yadah and Green Fuel settled for a 1-1 stalemate at the Heart stadium.
