Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira
Zimpapers Sports Hub
CASTLE LAGER PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE champions, Simba Bhora have revealed they have a contingency plan in place in the event of a mass exodus of players and possibly even the departure of head coach Tonderai Ndiraya.
Rumours are rife that Ndiraya is set to join Scottland FC, along with key players Walter Musona, Mthokozisi Msebe, Tichaona Chipunza, Vassilli Kawe, and Talbert Shumba.
Scottland FC, which is preparing for its maiden season in the top flight, is reportedly spending heavily on the transfer market.
The Highlanders duo of Peter Muduhwa and Lynoth Chikuhwa are also believed to be joining the league debu-tants.
Simba Bhora’s Charles Nyatsime said that if the rumours are true, they have the plan to remain a strong force.
“There is no official position yet, even though as a club, we will not stand in the way of anyone who wishes to pursue their future elsewhere. If we have players who want to leave, we will let them go. Even if the coach leaves, it means we will have to bring in a new coach and the players he wants to play in the team,” said Nyatsime.
Nyatsime said their dream of making records goes beyond the local scene.
“We are going to participate and hopefully make history in the same way we did in the local Premiership. For us, the dream continues, and we want to make history just like we did in the local league,” said Nyatsime.
In only their second top-flight season, Simba Bhora clinched the title with two games to spare, earning the right to represent Zimbabwe in Africa. The club leadership has confirmed that the team will be participating in the prestigious Caf Champions League competition in August of next year.
With winning the league title, Simba Bhora became the first team from Mashonaland Central to win a Premier Soccer League title.
They joined St Paul’s Musami, Ngezi Platinum, and FC Platinum as the only teams outside Harare and Bula-wayo to have won the country’s league title.
They added another chapter to the local game when they became the first club to provide five players on the Castle Soccer Stars calendar in the history of the awards which dates back to 1969.
Captain Walter Musona, who is one of the front runners to be named Soccer Star of the Year, and striker Ty-mon Muchope, who chipped in with 10 goals are part of the five players.
Their entire back three also made it onto the calendar, Webster Tafa who played all the 34 games this season, defensive pillar Blessing Moyo as well as 21-year-old Isheanesu Mauchi completed the five Simba Bhora players quota in the Team of the Season.
The decision to heavily invest in the refurbishment of Wadzanai Stadium, whose cost is estimated to be over US$200,000, has proved to be the trump card for Simba Bhora as they only lost one game at their fortress.
At the start of the season, they shook the market with 11 new additions.
The players signed at the beginning of the season included the former FC Platinum duo of Walter Musona and Perfect Chikwende, Taimon Mvula and Junior Makunike (both from Dynamos), Wilson Mensah and Talbert Shumba (Triangle), Malvin Mkolo, Mthokozisi Msebe, and Billy Vheremu (Bulawayo Chiefs). Harrison Masina also arrived from Hunters, and Gift Saunyama was lured from Black Rhinos.
Last year, they had 16 new signings, which means in two seasons, they invested in 27 new players.
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