Simba Bhora . . . . . . (0) 1
TelOne . . . . . . . 0
Champions Simba Bhora returned to winning ways with a narrow win over TelOne at Wadzanayi Stadium yesterday.
Halftime substitute Isaskar Gurirab's 53rd minute strike was all the home side needed to collect maximum points following last week's defeat to Dynamos.
It was the home side's second victory of the season in five matches as the Shamva based side stutter to their title defense.
Simba Bhora started the season with two goalless draws before they beat Herentals at home, with Gurirab scoring the all important goal.
The Joel Luphahla side then fell to DeMbare and were hard pressed to return to winning ways against a promoted TelOne team.
Victory moved them to sixth position with 8 points, three behind new log leaders MWOS who beat Zpc Kariba to reclaim the top spot.
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With the defeat, TelOne slumped from third position to seventh on the log standings with 7 points after 5 rounds of matches.
In a tight contest, Tinotenda Meke almost gave the home side the lead inside the opening 10 minutes, but his angled shot was well blocked by goalkeeper Chilenga.
Simba Bhora continued to dominate possession and came close midway through the half but Webster Tafa's shot hit the cross bar. Junior Makunike created some space inside the box but tangled himself and could not dispatch his shot.
TelOne were happy to sit back and soak some pressure, and they did not really threaten their opponent in the first half.
Simba Bhora got an ideal start to the second half.
A quick exchange of passes saw Blessed Ndereki releasing Emmanuel Ziocha wide on the right to cross for Gurirab to volley home.
The goal appeared to jolt TelOne into action who threw bodies forward but the home side stood firm to defend their gain.
At Bata Stadium, Kwekwe United put up a resilient performance to hold FC Platinum to a 0-0 draw in a pulsating Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match played at Bata stadium yesterday.
The Kwekwe based side put their administrative problems behind them and despite being dominated by FC Platinum in terms of possession, they fought hard.
The Mapeza coached side however felt hard-done when they had a goal ruled out for an offside after Malawian forward Vincent Nyagulu tapped the ball home from a Davidson Marowa's cross. FC Platinum were camped in Kwekwe United's half for the entire first half but their forwards were not effective. First, Divine Mhindirira forced a acrobatic save from goalkeeper Lenon Gonese, with a rasping strike from close range after five minutes.
Four minutes later, Gonese was again called into action as he repelled a floating header from Malawian defender Nickson Nyasulu.
They could have scored on the 33 minute mark, when Mhindirira picked James Nguluve unmarked in the box. But Nguluve under minimal pressure missed the target.
Kwekwe United had a decent second half with Masimba Mambare, Mbongeni Munezhi and Nyasha Saungwena menacing the FC Platinum defence.
Kwekwe United coach Saul Chaminuka heaped praise on his charges for putting up a brave fight against the four-time PSL Champions.
"We did well and what we lacked today is luck. The team is good and I think we are good to even expect a top eight finish," Chaminuka said.
Mapeza said he was impressed by the progress they have made so far despite missing several good chances.
"Last week again I spoke about it, it's all about decision making, there is no decision making.
"In football it is all about awareness and then decision making, if there is no awareness, then it is difficult," Mapeza said.
