Simba Bhora beat rivals Herentals U20 to edge closer to NRSL title

Simba Bhora edged closer towards winning the Northern Region Soccer League championship title after opening a five point lead at the top with a 2-1 win over Herentals U20 at Wadzanai stadium on Saturday.

SHAMVA – Simba Bhora edged closer towards winning the Northern Region Soccer League (NRSL) championship title after opening a five point lead at the top with a 2-1 win over Herentals U20 at Wadzanai stadium on Saturday.

With four matches to go before the end of the season, Simba Bhora did themselves a huge favour taking away points from their nearest rivals Herentals U20 and Golden Eagles in their last two big matches.

Simba Bhora now lead with 63 points ahead of Herentals U20 who can cut the lead to three points if they win their game in hand.

The match which was dubbed the game of the season, lived up to it’s hype as both teams gave their all with fans responding overwhelmingly coming out in droves.

Visitors Herentals U20 were the first to settle coming close with a couple of chances early into the match and at one time hitting the side netting but Simba Bhora using the experience of the likes of Ronald ‘Rooney’ Chitiyo and Webster Tafa wrestled back control of the match as the first half wore.

Tafa settled the nerves of the home fans with an instinctive goal, reacting faster to a rebound to put Simba Bhora in the lead with a tap in from close range four minutes to halftime.

League’s leading goal scorer Tinashe ‘Maswera’ Balakasi then capitalised on miscommunication between Herentals U20 goalkeeper Nevermind Antonio and his defence on dealing with a long ball to double the lead, stabbing home unmarked from inside the box.

Balakasi who is now on 27 goals from 27 matches, dedicated the win to former team mate Barnabas Mushunje who passed away in a car accident in June.

“This win means a lot to me because it was a team effort. We fought hard as a team and we were also motivated by the goal bonus promised by the club’s sponsors.

“I also want to dedicate this win to our former team mate and friend Barnabas Mushunje because his vision was to see Simba Bhora achieve it’s target of winning the league title and now that we are on course towards that, we remember him,” Balakasi said.

“I’m happy to have scored again today and I give credit to my teammates for the support and also coach Arthur Tutani for his continuous encouragement.

“I pray everyday and he also encourages me to work hard and also pray hard for devine intervention. I also want to thank the fans for their unwavering support and I promise that we won’t disappoint them.

“We just need to hang on and remain focused in the remaining fixtures.”

Chegutu Pirates returned to winning ways after a series of draws and defeats with a 3-0 win over CUMA Academy.

James Salima, Edmore Tsoro and Khumbulani Chitsambi got the goals for Chegutu Pirates much to the delight of their coach Richard Chunga who blamed off field incidences for the poor run.

“I’m happy for the players and the technical team for this win because it was now depressing for them. It was a tough match, Cam & Motor are now a changed side since Gipter Raiva took over and the score line is not a true reflection of how they played. It was a tough match,” Chunga said.

“You see the players put all their effort but there are things behind their control like funding which ends up affecting their performance.”

“When we went up to fourth position, things started getting tough for us, no funding, the travelling was bad and the players were even failing to raise money to attend training sessions. I would also like to thank our benefactor Columbus Makumbe because since he returned things are better now for the team.”

There was a six goal thriller at Morris Sports Club with Chinhoyi Stars beating hosts Black Mambas 4-2.

Kudzanai Mukumbire, Takudzwa Masiya, Admire Mbulawo were on target for Chinhoyi Stars with the other goal coming as an own goal from a Mambas player. Black Mambas replied through double scorer Leeroy Bernard.

Second from bottom Harare City Cubs shocked Karoi United with a 2-0 win in their own backyard at Chikangwe stadium with Chamunorwa Musukuta and Brendon Jerimani scoring in each half.

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