SO near yet so far is what Simba Bhora players will definitely be saying after letting slip a 1-0 lead against FC Platinum, which would have ensured them of a US$200 winning bonus on Saturday.
By Bhora Afrika
Team owner Simbarashe ‘Buju’ Ndoro had promised a US$200 paycheck for each player and members of the technical team if they had managed to beat eventual winners FC Platinum.
For a moment it seemed Simba Bhora had done the job courtesy of a Ronald ‘Rooney’ Chitiyo strike that beat Wallance Magalane in the 53rd minute.
However, a Juan Mutudza brace in the last 10 minutes ensured FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza’s fifth onslaught at the championship started on a winning note.
Mutudza, who left Ndiraya’s then Dynamos in a huff, having only been given cameo roles returned to haunt him at the National Sports Stadium.
Two well placed headers, both off Gift Mbweti’s boot completed a comeback worth all the weight of a season opener.
“After scoring that goal we became over confident, lost concentration and eventually conceded two silly goals,” said Ndiraya.
Simba Bhora’s sterling work to deny FC Platinum any chance of dominating the midfield in the first half did not matter in the end as FC Platinum’s Brian Banda came back a determined man in their last 45 minutes.
The introduction of new signing Perfect Chikwende and last season’s Soccer Star of the Year Walter Musona added much needed fire power upfront, creating opportunities and adding creativity for Mbweti.
“The introduction of Musona and Chikwende changed the game and also they (Simba Bhora) started to sit back which was their biggest let down, they didn’t want to push forward anymore,” said Mapeza.
“If it had ended one all I was not going to be disappointed, these are still early days early games.
“We are looking at collecting at least 13 points from the first five games of the season.”
Castle Lager PSL Week 1 results;
Sheasham 0-0 Chicken Inn
Hwange 0-1 Dynamos
Bulawayo Chiefs 1-1 Ngezi Platinum
Simba Bhora 1-2 FC Platinum