Former Zimbabwe champions part ways with coach Luphahla

Former Zimbabwe Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) champions Simba Bhora have parted ways with coach Joel Luphahla. The former Platinum Stars FC winger has since found a new job.

The 2023-2024 champions confirmed in a statement dated December 2 2025 that they would not renew Luphahla’s deal beyond December 31, 2025.

Simba Bhora part ways with Joel Luphahla. pic.twitter.com/6NJ9fJw60O

— METSBARMBY FOOTBALL (@metsbarmby) December 2, 2025

“The coach joined the club at a time all hope was lost, with key players and the technical staff having moved to other clubs. He assembled a new team altogether that was a force to reckon with and finished third in the 2025 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League,” the statement reads.

“The coach exhibited great qualities of professionalism and dedication to his work which subsequently caught the hearts of many supporters, executives and the board who fell in love with coach Joel. His bond and the relationship with the players was truly amazing.

“We would like to take this opportunity to publicly appreciate coach Joel not only for his professionalism and hard work, but also for putting a smile on many Simba Bhora FC supporters who were in despair at the beginning of the 2025 season.”

Where is Luphahla now?

Luphahla has since found a new job at FC Platinum where he has stepped in the shoes of Norman Mapeza.

The former Warriors coach Mapeza secured a new job at newly-crowned Castle Lager PSL champions Scottland FC who sacked coach Tonderai Ndiraya soon after delivering the title. However, Scottland FC are yet to unveil Mapeza officially.