Under mounting pressure after a sluggish start to their title defense, Simba Bhora delivered a gritty 1-0 victory over in-form Telone at Wadzanai Stadium, offering a much-needed reprieve for embattled coach Joe Lupahla.
The 2024 champions, who had stumbled out of the gates with just one win in their opening four matches, finally showed glimpses of their pedigree as Isaskar Gurirab’s 53rd-minute strike proved decisive in a tightly contested affair. The result lifts Simba Bhora to mid-table, easing—at least temporarily—the growing skepticism around Lupahla’s ability to steer the ship.
A Game of Fine Margins
Facing a Telone side riding high with seven points from four matches (W2, D1, L1), Simba Bhora knew they were in for a battle. The visitors, organized and dangerous on the counter, threatened early, but the hosts stood firm defensively before Gurirab’s moment of quality broke the deadlock early in the second half.
Lupahla’s Relief: “This One’s for the Fans”
A visibly relieved Lupahla praised his side’s response after their disappointing 1-0 defeat to Dynamos the previous week.
“We are happy with the win,” he said in his post-match interview. “Last week, I was very disappointed with the defeat at Dynamos, but coming back to Shamva—our home ground—and getting all three points, with the fans rallying behind us, it’s a great feeling.”
The former Warriors assistant coach acknowledged the supporters’ role in lifting the team, adding, “We do this for the fans. It’s all for them, and watching them rejoicing out there makes us happy.”
Turning the Corner?
While the victory provides breathing room, questions remain over whether Simba Bhora can rediscover the consistency that made them champions last season. Their early struggles—two draws followed by a nervy win over Herentals and the defeat to Dynamos—had sparked debate over whether Lupahla was the right man to lead the project.
However, grinding out a result against an in-form Telone side could be the catalyst they need. The performance wasn’t vintage, but the grit and determination on display will reassure fans that the fighting spirit remains intact.
What’s Next?
With momentum slowly building, Simba Bhora’s next challenge will be to string together a run of results. Their upcoming fixture against [Next Opponent] presents another opportunity to climb the table and prove that this win wasn’t just a flash in the pan.
For now, Lupahla can breathe a little easier—but in the cutthroat world of the PSL, the pressure is never far away.
Final Score:
Simba Bhora 1 – 0 Telone
(Gurirab 53’)
