MWOS FC .......(0)0
Simba Bhora...(0)1
Substitute Tapiwa Mandinyenya proved to be the hero for Simba Bhora, rising from the bench to score a dramatic last-minute header that secured a crucial 1-0 victory over MWOS FC at Ngoni Stadium yesterday.
The three points were a vital bounce-back for the defending champions, who were briefly dislodged from the top spot after Scottland's 2-0 win over ZPC Kariba on Friday.
With this win, Simba Bhora now sits on 50 points from 25 matches, reclaiming their position at the summit of the standings with eight games remaining in the season.
The Norton based side remains on 42 points from 25 matches in third place.
For MWOS FC, the result extended their winless streak to six matches, a run that has included four losses and a single draw since their last victory against Bikita Minerals early July.
Both coaches acknowledged the tough nature of the encounter. Simba Bhora's coach, Joe Luphahla, expressed satisfaction with his team's resilience.
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"I am happy for our players because last week we had a disappointing result," he said. "When you come from a loss, sometimes psychologically you are affected, but I am happy that we came here and we suffered. They played good football in the first half."
Luphahla credited a tactical shift in the second half for the win, which involved introducing wingers to stretch the opposition's defence.
"I am happy that it worked," he added.
MWOS coach Lloyd Mutasa commended his players' effort despite the loss.
"It was a tough encounter, both of us we got our chances," he said. "The team that at the end of the day converted the chances that came their way ended up victors, but I'm going to appreciate my boys for working so well."
The match was a tightly contested affair with both sides creating opportunities.
Early on, Arthur Banda had a free header for MWOS, but failed to direct a Billy Veremu cross downwards.
The midfield battle was a key highlight, with Simba Bhora's trio of Junior Makunike, Blessing Moyo, and Butholezwe Ncube going up against MWOS's Aboubakar Moffat, Mathew Murambiwa, and Tafadzwa George.
Midway through the first half, Tafadzwa George unleashed a powerful shot for MWOS that was parried away by Simba Bhora goalkeeper William Thole.
MWOS continued to press, with Banda blazing a header over the bar in the second half and Ziocha heading straight at goalkeeper Martin Mapisa.
The turning point came late in the game when MWOS were reduced to ten men after Valentine Katsande left the field with an injury after the team had exhausted its substitutions.
Simba Bhora capitalised on the numerical advantage, and with the match seemingly destined for a draw, Mandinyenya rose highest in the box to head home the winner with the very last kick of the game.
Mandinyenya was introduced in the 56th minute for Isaskar Gurirab.
Teams:
MWOS FC: M. Mapisa, V. Katsande, C. Kwangwari (N. Simango 77'), I. Zambezi, T. Nyabunze, A. Moffat, M. Murambiwa, M. Mudzuka (W. Mensah 53'), T. George (I. Masiiwa 60'), B. Vheremu (T. Mutenheri 77'), A. Banda.
Simba Bhora: W. Thole, W. Tafa, B. Moyo, I. Mauchi (C. Mavhurume 77'), E. Ziocha (Kuleya 82'), B. Mutukure, N. Tsabora (M. Mushore 56'), J. Makunike (M. Mudadi 56'), I. Nyanhi, B. Ncube, I. Guribab (T. Mandinyenya 56').
