Simba Bhora Shining After Sluggish start

Simba Bhora is basking in the glory of another hard-fought victory, this time a narrow 1-0 win over Bikita Minerals, which handed them their fourth win in five matches. Following a well-crafted win over Highlanders over the weekend, the Shamva outfit made maximum use of home advantage on Wednesday, with Ishamel Nyanhi’s 43rd-minute goal proving enough to secure the reigning champions a slender victory.

Last season, Simba Bhora won their maiden PSL crown, but when the 2025 season kicked off, many doubted their chances given the significant player losses and the departure of head coach Tonderayi Ndiraya. However, despite losing key personnel, credit must be given to the Shamva outfit for their astute transfer business, which saw the arrival of established players such as Donald Mudadi, Carlos Mavhurume, and Never Tigere, among others.

After a slow start to the season, picking up just five points from four matches, Simba Bhora has transformed into a consistent outfit under the leadership of coach Joel Luphahla. Their win over Bikita Minerals propelled them to the top of the PSL standings with 32 points, just one point ahead of MWOS, who face CAPS United on Thursday afternoon.

Traditional giants Dynamos, CAPS United, and Highlanders are struggling to regain their footing in Zimbabwean football, while teams like Simba Bhora, MWOS, and Scotland FC are emerging as major title contenders. Having already tasted glory, Simba Bhora’s remaining players are well aware of what’s required to cross the finish line, and the experience of seasoned campaigners like Carlos Mavhurume and Never Tigere will be invaluable.

Never Tigere won the league with FC Platinum, while Carlos Mavhurume was part of the 2023 Ngezi Platinum Stars championship-winning team. Simba Bhora remains unbeaten on home soil, and their grit and fighting spirit, both at home and away, are key ingredients in their pursuit of a second consecutive title.