Simba Bhora coach braces for tough competition in Zimbabwe PSL second round

Zimbabwe’s Simba Bhora FC coach, Joel Luphahla, has warned his side to brace up for a tough Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) second-round.

The former Warriors winger issued the warning ahead of the away league match against Kariba FC on Saturday, July 5, 2025.

Luphahla observed that while the defending champions are growing in stature on the field of play with some encouraging results, opponents will buckle up in the second half of the season.

“Everything is going on well,” the coach told the club’s media. “If you look at the two games we have played, there is a good progression that is happening. We are good in defence and on the fire-power, we are not bad. If you look at the league, we are not bad. We are the second best in terms of scoring.”

Luphahla, however, said he expects Bhora to face stiff competition in the business phase of the league; hence, the need to prepare if they are to defend the league.

“I am happy with what I have seen, but in the second half of the season, we need to be better than the first half of the season because now there is a window that is opening and a lot of clubs will strengthen their teams,” he explained.

“If it was difficult in the first half, in the second half, we need to dig deeper.”

Bhora will go into the match without the services of first-choice goalkeeper William Thole who has accumulated yellow cards. The same is the case with Ishe Mauchi and Carlos Mavhurume while William Manondo will miss the game through injury.

The defending champions are on a good run of form after winning thrice and drawing twice in June 2025. They are behind leaders, MWOS FC, by a point after round 18 of games.

Bhora will represent Zimbabwe in the 2025-2026 CAF Champions League by virtue of being the defending champions.