THE final sprint to the finish line of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title race is on, and for log leaders Simba Bhora, the path to glory is littered with landmines.
While a seemingly “easy” fixture list of relegation threatened sides might appear a blessing, head coach Joel Luphahla insists he would rather face the giants than the desperate.
This Saturday, Luphahla’s men travel to the Green Fuel Arena in Chisumbanje to face a Green Fuel side fighting for their very survival.
The fixture is the first of a daunting eight-game stretch, where Simba Bhora will come face-to-face with some teams teetering on the edge of the drop.
Only second-placed Scottland and third-placed Ngezi Platinum Stars stand as exceptions to a run-in that includes Green Fuel, Triangle, Bikita Minerals, Yadah, Caps United and Highlanders — all with the relegation axe dangling ominously above their heads.
The defending champions got a taste of this desperate fight on Saturday, needing two dramatic late goals to overcome basement side Kwekwe United 3-1.
It was a victory that, on paper, should have been a walkover, but instead, was a gruelling test of character.
“It’s eight games to go now. We have four at home, four away,” Luphahla said, a hint of weariness in his voice.
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“The problem we have is that we are playing most of the teams that are relegation-threatened.
“They are not going to make it easy.”
For Luphahla, the pressure is immense.
The razor-thin lead at the top of the standings means there is no room for error.
Every point is a potential championship winner or a title killer.
The one glimmer of hope for the Shamva-based side is their fortress-like Wadzanayi Stadium, where they are yet to lose a league match this season.
Four of their remaining eight fixtures will be played there, including what could be a potential title decider against Scottland after the Green Fuel encounter.
The former Dynamos assistant coach is demanding the same grit and determination that saw his team snatch victory from the jaws of a draw against Kwekwe United.
With the match seemingly heading for a stalemate, Webster Tafa and Tawonga Kuleya popped up with two last-gasp goals, showcasing a “never-say-die” attitude that has become a hallmark of their campaign.
“I am happy that the players have got resilience, and they don’t give up easily,” Luphahla said.
“Each and every time you feel that there is going to be a draw, they don’t give up and I am happy for that.
“But that was the second time in a row that we scored at the death of a game and sometimes it can work, but sometimes it might not work.”
Despite the victory, the coach was visibly frustrated with his side’s profligacy in front of goal, especially in the first half when they dominated possession, but failed to convert their chances.
“When we look at our next fixture away, we need to make sure that we correct these things and make sure when we get the opportunity to bury the goals, we make sure that we score,” he stressed.
“Those are chances that you cannot miss at this level if you want to retain this championship.”
The message from Luphahla is clear, the title will not be won with pretty football, but with the ruthless efficiency and mental fortitude to navigate the most dangerous period of their season — the relentless gauntlet of teams fighting for their lives.
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League matchday 27
Saturday: Bikita Minerals v TelOne (Gibbo), Ngezi Platinum Stars v FC Platinum (Baobab), Scottland v Dynamos (Rufaro), Green Fuel v Simba Bhora (Green Fuel Arena), MWOS v Chicken Inn (Ngoni)
Sunday: Highlanders v Yadah (Barbourfields), Caps United v ZPC Kariba (Rufaro), Triangle v Herentals (Gibbo), Kwekwe United v Manica Diamonds (Ascot)
