Castle Lager Premier Soccer League defending champions Simba Bhora’s coach Joel Luphahla has expressed delight after his side picked up a point following a goalless draw with FC Platinum at Wadzanayi Stadium.
It was an indifferent start to the title defence for the Shamva based side after they lost in the Castle Challenge Cup on penalties to Dynamos last week.
And a tough opening league fixture saw them host FC Platinum, who beat them home and away last season and they managed to come away with a point.
In a match of two halves, the visitors dominated the first half but failed to create clear cut chances while Simba Bhora were by far the better side in the second half.
With a bit of luck they could have snatched the three points.
“First game of the season at home, my first game as the defending champions coach and the pressure was going to be there. We have played this game. I feel that I have taken the pressure off my shoulders. I am happy with what these boys have done. They left here with sweat and blood to come here and get a draw of which I felt if our boys were composed we could have gotten the three points but at the end of the day we will take the point and it gives us confidence when we go to ZPC Kariba,” he said.
FC Platinum were itching to prove that they have made some progress with the rebuild as they look to reclaim the title which they won four times in a row between 2017 and 2022.
In the first, they showed that they will definitely be the team to beat in the league race.
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Coach Norman Mapeza felt that the draw was a fair result.
“I think it’s a fair result. If you look at the opportunities they had I think we gave them those opportunities. First half I think we played some quality football , better football and in the second half the guys’ legs were a bit gone. It’s the first game of the season and the pitch is a little bit heavy but I am more than happy with a point. We will go home and continue working then we see what happens come end of the season
“Our fans need to keep giving us their maximum support. It's a long journey. It’s also not about or about the players but it’s about us as a family. We will keep working hard and rectify the mistakes that we made today,” he said.
