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Innocent Kurira in Bulawayo

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IT is now a done deal.

When they just needed a point to cross the line into the Promised Land, Simba Bhora ensured the would be no doubts about their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title credentials with another key victory on the road.

And there was no better player than the captain of the ship – Walter Musona – to lead from the front as the Zimbabwe international struck the goal that made the difference in the 10th minute at Luveve.

Victory ensured Simba Bhora are the 2024 Premiership champions and more importantly achieved the feat in only their second season in the top-flight.

Their investment into the building of Wadzanayi Stadium in Shamva where they have not lost a match this season and the acquisition of some of the best talent in the land has seen them make history by winning the league title and becoming the first team from Mashonaland Central to claim domestic football’s ultimate prize.

At the start of the season, the Shamva-based outfit declared their intentions to win the league and have managed to do so in style.

Simba Bhora wrapped up the season with two games left to go as they reached an unassailable 66 points following yesterday’s win.

Second-placed FC Platinum are on 57 points after they beat Bulawayo Chiefs at Mandava.

Effectively, the Zvishavane platinum miners cannot reach the 66-point margin.

Third-placed Ngezi Platinum could also only settle for yet another 1-1 draw in a season in which the bid to defend the championship title became too much of an ask for them.

Needing just a point to win the league, visiting Simba Bhora kept their cool from the first whistle and got the job at hand done with victory over Arenel which confirmed them as champions of the local league.

In scoring what turned out to be the winner, Musona, pounced on a misdirected Brian Jaravaza back pass and slotted home with ease.

This was their only victory in all their visits to Bulawayo this season and they will cherish that their crowning moment was in the City of Kings.

For their gaffer Tonderai Ndiraya, who was winning his first championship as coach, it was a sweet victory.

“We are very excited as a club to have won the championship,’’ Ndiraya said.

“We are excited for what we have done throughout the season. I think this should be our 21st win, I am not too sure, but that was our target. We knew that if we get between 20 and 22 wins, we would be champions. I am glad that in the end we managed to do so.

“We give credit to our management, the president himself, Simbarashe Ndoro, the board, executive committee, the technical team, secretariat and the players.

“The players were the ones doing the job and our supporters have always been there for us and we have done this together so this championship is for the entire province,” said Ndiraya.

He added: “It’s the first championship to be won in the province and I am very happy that we have made history and lastly I want to thank my family and everyone who supported me during this difficult journey.

“This is for us together and what’s left is for us to plan the celebrations and from that we also want to finish on a high, we are on 66 points. We want to finish on 72, and probably break a record in recent times.”

Arenel coach, Philani “Beefy” Ncube said despite being relegated, they needed to finish off the season on a high.

“One thing for sure, the team needs a psychologist. We keep on losing one nil and it is always a mistake resulting in a goal.

“But well, we need to finish journey the way we started. We will journey and keep on fighting until the end of the season.

“We have to leave this Premier League with positive dignity and integrity. We wanted this game at all costs but in terms of muscle, the opposition had all the muscles to win the game,” said Ncube.

Three minutes after Musona found the back of the net, the champions continued with their charge but Roland Kangadzi failed to deliver a cross into the box.

Across town at Barbourfields, Ngezi had to come from behind after Chicken Inn surged ahead via lshamar Farasi’s wonder striker that beat Nelson Chadya all systems out in the 44th minute.

The visitors immediately hit back less than a minute later through Talent Chamboko after the Gamecocks defence was found at sea.

At Rufaro, in Harare, Chegutu Pirates coach Maxwell Takaendesa Jongwe conceded that his team’s survival chances had gone off the rails after they were handed a 1-0 defeat by Herentals.

A 46th minute strike by Tinashe Mupumha condemned Chegutu to an early return to the Northern Region Soccer League.

Results:

Arenel 0-1 Simba Bhora

FC Platinum 1-0 Bulawayo Chiefs

ZPC Kariba 0-0 Dynamos

Bikita Minerals 2-0 Highlanders

Chicken Inn 1-1 Ngezi Platinum

Green Fuel 1-0 Hwange

Herentals 1-0 Chegutu Pirates