DEFENDING champions Simba Bhora coach Joel Luphahla is expecting nothing short of victory when his side takes on ZPC Kariba at Nyamhunga Stadium this afternoon.
Simba Bhora began their title defence with a goalless draw at home to FC Platinum last week.
Luphahla’s charges struggled in the first half against FC Platinum, but had a strong second half and were unlucky not to bag maximum points.
Speaking ahead of their clash with the defensively solid ZPC Kariba, who also held Dynamos to a nil-all draw in Harare, Luphahla said his team cannot afford another draw despite playing against a difficult side.
“We are the defending champions obviously and there is pressure to win. At the end of the day, we are competing with people who also want to win.
“I have realised that from the game that we played against Dynamos (Castle Challenge Cup), there is a bit of an improvement. They seem to understand more,” he said.
“In the first half against FC Platinum, we had some difficulties, losing our shape when we didn’t have the ball. That’s why our opponents dominated possession.
“But in the second half, we corrected that, so we are hoping that when we take that to ZPC Kariba, it’s going to yield results because we played a draw against FC Platinum, so we cannot afford to play another draw.”
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Added Luphahla: “We are prepared well for the game against ZPC Kariba. Obviously, it’s going to be a difficult game.
“ZPC Kariba don’t give away games easily, you need to go there and fight. They don’t lose many games at home, so it’s going to be a difficult game.
“I think if we take what we did over the weekend against FC Platinum, especially the second half into the game, then we have got a chance.”
ZPC Kariba had the best defence in the top division last season with just 18 goals in 34 matches.
Last week they proved that they still going be a hard nut to crack with a disciplined performance against Dynamos last.
The team claims that they will not be fighting relegation as they did last year.
“Last year, we were fighting for survival, but this year, I can boldly say that we will be fighting something else,” Luphahla said after Dynamos’ match on Sunday.
“We want to compete for title. Our defence is still good. Now we need to add more goals and then we can be up there competing with the best.”
PSL fixtures
Today: TelOne v Triangle United (Ascot Stadium), Ngezi Platinum Stars v Green Fuel (Baobab Stadium), Bikita Minerals v Mwos (Sakubva Stadium), FC Platinum v Manica Diamonds (Mandava Stadium), ZPC Kariba v Simba Bhora (Nyamhunga Stadium), Herentals College v Dynamos (Rufaro Stadium)
Tomorrow: Caps United v Scottland (Rufaro Stadium), Highlanders v Kwekwe United (Barbourfields Stadium)
