Wenslus Murape
Veronica Gwaze
Sports Reporter
WHEN he was handed his Castle Lager Premier Soccer League debut, Simba Bhora’s 15-year-old Cole Tsamba clearly understood the assignment.
Chocho, as he is affectionately known, was thrown into the fray in the second half when the Shamva side beat Yadah 1-0 at Wadzanai, courtesy of a Tymon Machope goal.
With Yadah seemingly enjoying a purple patch prior to the outing, the much hyped and over-subscribed match attracted a lot of attention.
For a match of that magnitude, the promising attacking midfielder handled his debut with so much maturity.
Even a conversation with the Prince Edward High School form three learner tells a story of a boy who is mature for his age.
“Enrolling at Greystone Park Primary, I played for the ‘Colts’ team at grade one and graduated into the seniors by grade three,” he said.
“Playing with older boys is what I did since then, I am used to being thrown into the deep end so I am quick to adapt.
“On my debut, the coach didn’t say much, he simply told me to go and enjoy the game and despite having some deep seated fear I had a moment of my life.”
Tsamba, whose football journey started at the age of four when his father would, at home, take him through drills was signed by Simba at the start of the season.
He came on-board alongside captain Walter Musona, Junior Makunike, Mthokozisi Msebe, Perfect Chikwende, Malvin Mkolo and Billy Veremu.
Goalkeepers Talbert Shumba and Taimon Mvula, Gift Saunyama and Perfect Chikwende also joined the side at that time.
Surrounded by veterans, who have already taught him a lot about the game, Tsamba is enjoying his maiden topflight season. He recalls the unexpected call he got when Simba asked to sign him before the season started.
“I was both surprised and overjoyed; it felt almost unreal because I viewed myself as nothing but a mere school boy,” he said.
“Realising it was a chance to play at the highest level of domestic football, I had to promptly focus on working hard to fit into the big boys’ camp.
“On my first day in training, I was nervous but the guys were supportive, they quickly made me feel at home.
“Coach Ndiraya had been watching me play since I was young and his belief in my potential made all the difference.”
Following their aggressive shopping, Simba Bhora are among the teams challenging for the championship.
Currently they sit top of the log standings with 50 points in 25 games.
They are four points ahead of second placed FC Platinum while defending champions Ngezi are on position three with 41 points in 24 outings.
If Simba hold on to the pole position, Tsamba will be part of the history makers who will have won the championship in their second year of promotion in the league.
The youngster feels that signing for Simba was a defining step in his football journey.
“Straight from school to topflight is something I never pictured, it is a lifetime opportunity,” he said.
“It means I have to work double what others do if I want to reach their level so I am putting in extra hours to make it work.”
To balance professional football and school, Tsamba sometimes has to make sacrifices on both ends.
“I go to school when we do not have training sessions but when we do I get home and do online lessons and it has worked well for me,” added the rookie. Away from football, I want to be an architect so I have to push equally hard in my school work
Chocho admits the spotlight that comes with doing business in the topflight league can be overwhelming.
“I have been taught to never let the status that comes with playing in the top league get to my head,” he said.
“At school, I have to be a normal student. At home I am a middle child, my elder sister is in the United States of America on a football scholarship so I am an ordinary kid.
“To my friends I am still their old mate, not some super hero.”
This week, Simba will face TelOne away at Bata.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter