Simba Bhora . . . . . . . . . . 0
Ngezi Platinum Stars . . 0
Simba Bhora coach Joel Luphahla has dismissed reports linking him to struggling Chicken Inn, saying he has a "project to finish" at the defending league champions.
Speaking after his team's drab goalless draw against Ngezi Platinum Stars at Wadzanayi Stadium yesterday, the former Warriors winger committed to honour his two year contract, which he signed at the start of the current campaign.
Reports last week tipped Luphahla to replace underfire Joey Antipas whose future at Chicken Inn is under scrutiny following a slow start to the season.
"I also saw (the reports) on social media," Luphahla said.
"I'm here, I have a two-year contract here. I have a project and I'm committed to it. We need to see it through. You're not going to be a man of honour when you build a project and you stop. You build another project and you stop. So we need to see this project through. We are here."
Luphahla was appointed at the start of the season with the mandate to defend the league title.
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He replaced Tonderai Ndiraya who moved to Scottland.
"We need to try and defend the title. And we are not going to defend the title if we are not here. If we leave, it makes it difficult for the team. For the owners of the team, it becomes difficult, and the bond that we have created with the boys. So I'm still here, and like I said we have a contract. Unless they say, no coach, we don't need you. But for now, they've said, coach, we want you here... continue with your project. So this is what we will continue to do."
But Simba Bhora's chances of defending the league title suffered a setback yesterday after they were held by their visitors to miss out on a chance to close gap on log leaders Mwos.
Luphahla expressed his disappointment at the manner his team dropped the points following a below par performance.
The hosts had a good start to the game but allowed the 2023 league champions to creep back into the game midway through the half and dominated proceedings thereafter.
Ngezi Platinum Stars upped the pressure in the second half but Luphahla's men dug in deep to at least ensure their unbeaten home streak in the league this term stretched to eight matches.
Simba Bhora sit on second position with 26 points, four behind Mwos who beat Scottland 1-0 yesterday.
"I'm happy that we did not concede and that we did not lose the game," Luphahla said.
"But playing at home to a draw, it's always disappointing for our fans. We always come here to try and do it for them, to try and play for them. But I can't take anything away from my boys. It's a learning curve for them."
Ngezi Platinum Stars coach Takesure Chiragwi believes it was two points dropped for his team.
His team is on seventh position on the log with 21 points after 14 rounds of matches.
"I think we were a better side in terms of detecting the pace and going forward" Chiragwi said.
"We realised they were attacking using their wing-backs as flying wing-backs. And we tried to make sure we blocked that. Unfortunately, we couldn't get the goal, but we tried our best. And also we need to give credit to the defenders of the opposition."
Simba Bhora's next game is a trip away to Highlanders while Ngezi Platinum Stars are at home to Manica Diamonds.
