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Innocent Kurira At Luveve Stadium

Arenel Movers’ 0-1 Simba Bhora

PERHAPS money does buy success!

Simba Bhora are the 2024 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Champions.

Their investment into the building of Wadzanayi Stadium in Shamva where they have not lost a match this season and acquisition of some of the best talents in the country has seen them winning the league title in just their second season in the topflight league.

They are the first ever team from Mashonaland Central to win the PSL championship.

At the beginning of the season, Simba Bhora declared their intentions to win the league and they have done so in style.

Simba Bhora wrapped up the season with two games left as they reached an unassailable 66 points with the 1-0 victory over Arenal.

Simba Bhora FC players celebrate winning the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title with their fans at Luveve Stadium yesterday. Pictures by Allen Ndebele

Second-placed FC Platinum are on 57 points after beating Bulawayo Chiefs at Mandava Stadium yesterday. Effectively, the Platinum Miners cannot reach the 66 point margin.

Needing just a point to win the league, visiting Simba Bhora kept their cool from the first whistle and got the job done with a win over Arenel.

It only took Simba Bhora 10 minutes to get the all important goal when Walter Musona pounced on a misdirected Brian Jaravaza back pass and slotted home with ease.

This was their only victory in all their visits to Bulawayo this season and they will cherish that their crowning moment was in the City of Kings and Queens.

For coach Tonderai Ndiraya, it was a sweet victory.

“We are very excited as a club to have won the championship. We are excited for what we have done throughout the season. I think this should be our 21st win, I’m not too sure, but that was our target.

“We knew that if we get between 20 and 22 wins we would be champions. I am glad that in the end we managed to do so.

“We give credit to our management, the president himself, Simbarashe Ndoro, the board, executive committee, the technical team, secretariat and the players. The players were the ones doing the job and our supporters have always been there for us and we have done this together so this championship is for the entire province,” said Ndiraya.

“It’s the first championship to be won in the province and I am very happy that we have made history and lastly l want to thank my family and everyone who supported me during this difficult journey.

“This is for us together and what’s left is for us to plan the celebrations and from that we also want to finish on a high. We want to finish on 72 points, and probably break a record in recent times.”

Arenel coach, Philani “Beefy” Ncube said despite being relegated, they need to finish the season on a high note.

“One thing for sure, the team needs a psychologist. We keep on losing one-nil and it is always a mistake resulting in a goal.

But well, we need to journey on the way we started. We will keep on fighting until the end of the season.

“We have to leave this Premier Soccer League with dignity and integrity. We wanted this game at all costs but in terms of muscle, the opposition had all the muscles to win the game,” said Ncube.

Members of the Simba Bhora technical department

Three minutes after Musona found the back of the net, the champions continued with their charge but Roland Kangadzi failed to deliver a cross into the box.

In the 15th minute, Chrispen Machisi came close to levelling matters for the hosts but his brilliant shot from outside the box went just wide off goal.

Two minutes later, Tymon Machope came close to doubling the lead for the Shamva-based side but his header off a Kangadzi cross went over the bar.

The lanky forward got another glorious chance but produced a weak effort which was easily dealt with by Aaron Ngwenya in goals for Arenel.

In the 23rd minute, Machisi almost made it one-all with a dipping header which went just over the bar.

Simba Bhora league title celebrations at Luveve Stadium yesterday

Arenel continued their search for an equaliser and got yet another chance through Lucky Nyathi who unleashed a shot from outside the box but couldn’t find the target.

As the sweet and biscuit makers continued their search for an equaliser, they constantly hit a stumbling block in Isheanesu Mauchi who was rock solid at the heart of the Simba Bhora defence.

On the hour mark, Musona sent a defence splitting pass into the path of Tymon Machope but he sent his effort over the bar with only the keeper to beat.

In the 64th minute, Kangadzi sent in a brilliant low cross which, however, found no takers in the box.

Second-half substitute Mthokozisi Msebe almost had an immediate impact but his shot went wide off goal.

With 15 minutes left on the clock, Machope failed to capitalise on yet another one versus one situation.

The Simba Bhora striker was put through on goal by Msebe but couldn’t dribble past Ngwenya.

Ngwenya was brought into action again in the 80th minute, producing a brilliant save to deny Ishmael Nyanhi.

Teams
Arenel:
Aaron Ngwenya (gk), Gabriel Dlodlo, Grant Chingwenhese, Brian Gijimani, Polite Mwenda, Andrew Tandi, Brian Jaravaza (Dalubuhle Dlodlo, 77mins), Zibusiso Dambo, Lucky Nyathi, Chrispen Machisi, Toto Banda

Simba Bhora:
Simbarashe Chinani (gk), Webster Tafa, Isheanesu Mauchi, Tichaona Chipunza, Blessing Moyo, Wilson Meansah (Ishmael Nyanhi, 66mins), Roland Kangadzi, Gift Saunyama (Albert Manenji, 66mins), Walter Musona (Mthokozisi Msebe, 66mins)
—@innocentskizoe