admin
Tadious Manyepo
Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE international Onismor Bhasera could travel the same path that compatriot Kaitano Tembo went through at South African Premiership side SuperSport United after the club confirmed the full-back would be lured to take the first step into management.
Tembo, who joined the Tshwane team in 1999 from Dynamos spent over 22 years in the SuperSport system.
After hanging his boots in 2006, the ex-Warriors defender was assigned to coach the team’s development side and he rose through the ranks until he became the head coach three years ago.
He underlined his legendary status at the club after delivering the MTN8 trophy.
And Bhasera could just be the next Zimbabwean to have an illustrious time both as a player and coach at SuperSport United after the team’s chief executive officer Stan Matthews revealed plans to lure the fullback into coaching their academy.
The highly regarded Matthews said this while delivering a lecture on running football clubs in Africa during the well-subscribed Premier Soccer League training indaba which was organised by Zimpapers through their television wing, ZTN Prime in Harare early this week.
Bhasera, who was one of the top-performers at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon last year, had a routine outstanding season with the DStv Premiership outfit in the recent 2022-2023 term.
The 37-year-old former Kaizer Chiefs and Plymouth Argyle man continued to defy his age as he notched 25 appearances and weighed in with two goals.
And Matthews was blown away with the fitness levels he continues to display despite his age.
“Bhasera is 37 and is one of the oldest players in the team but he is certainly in the top-three in terms of fitness. He is a well-behaved young man with a commendable disciplinary record,” said Matthews.
“We have been with him for some time now and we will lure him into coaching our academy and hopefully he can emulate what Kaitano Tembo did at the team”.
Matthews said despite the current problems facing Zimbabwean football, soccer players should uphold the common traits that identify locals.
“What we see as South Africans in terms of Zimbabweans is that they are hardworking, honest and generally they are good people. They can fit well in any organisation or structure and stay for a long time.
“We currently have Onismo Bhasera at the team. Mahachi (Kuda) was with us, so was George Chigova, Washington Arubi, Evans Rusike and dozens of other Zimbabwean players.
“There is talent in Zimbabwe, there is no doubt about that”.
Matthews challenged local football clubs to be proactive and act responsibly if they are to stay relevant and be able to sustain themselves in this age.
“We can’t stay in the past any more. We need to start seeing things differently if we are to lure sponsorships which are key to our survival.
“As football clubs, you should be able to control rights like Stadium signage whether you own the ground or not. As long as you don’t have those rights, you will be poor. Let’s think outside the box. We need to make our brands more appealing through playing at clean stadiums among other things”.
He said Zimbabwean clubs ought to improve in terms of stakeholder engagement through the use of modern digital platforms including social media.
“The more followers you have on social media, the more likely you will attract sponsorships. As clubs, you should also relate well with journalists to drive your content for content is king. Let’s work more on enhancing the appeal of our brands.
“I think just a few years ago Ngezi Platinum were just starting, FC Platinum were still a small team just like Chicken Inn. But they have progressed well.
“But now the traditional monopoly by the big clubs including Dynamos, CAPS United and Highlanders is changing. That is the same challenge in South Africa.
“We have three big brands as well in South Africa which are Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns and all the other 13 clubs are working hard to be on Number 4 which is okay.
“Zimbabwean clubs need to be more brand conscious and start to work on what’s attainable like what Chicken Inn, Ngezi Platinum and FC Platinum have done over the years. They are showing up and that’s encouraging.
“I think everybody needs to be put on their toes all the time for us to create a competitive environment”.
Online Reporter