Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
JUST two months ago, Simba Bhora defender, Boid Mutukure, was thinking of saving ZPC Kariba from relegation.
The deadline day Simba Bhora signing was one of the stand-out performers when the Shamva team made their bow in the CAF Champions League against Eswatini’s Nsingizini Hotspurs in Francistown, Botswana on Sunday night.
The Zimbabwean representatives won 1-0.
At 31, Mutukure had already given up on international football having been ignored by successive national team coaches.
This was despite Mutukure being one of the best defenders in the country when he was starring for ZPC Kariba.
He said:
“Playing at an international level was never something I thought about. Not even one day.
“I was satisfied with where I was, playing regularly and doing my business in Kariba. “Yes, early last year, I received a call from Dynamos who indicated that they were interested in my services as they prepared for the CAF Confederation Cup.
“The move fell through and I thought that was it. But Simba Bhora have helped me realise what, just two months ago, I thought was fantasy.
“I am really grateful to coach Luphahla for taking me on board and here I am. I couldn’t believe it was really me walking down the tunnel and about to debut in the CAF Champions League.”
Mutukure stood tall, partnering yet another underrated but incredibly solid Webster Tafa and Isheanesu Mauchi at the back of Luphahla’s 3-5-2 formation.
Six times he sprung to head away danger and his long legs were also key in winning, at least, four sliding tackles to add to several block tackles he came out tops.
After a successful bow, Mutukure is now looking ahead to the second leg in Eswatini with optimism.
“The first leg was a complete joy. We were supposed to score more but we are still learning.
“The learning phase took us about 74 minutes or so to complete but I am happy we still managed to pinch a goal out of it.
“Now the whole focus is on the second leg that we need to manage in order for us to progress to the next round.
“We are never going ahead of ourselves. We have 90 full minutes to concentrate in Eswatini.
“Nsingizini Hotspurs showed that they are never a team to be easily pushed aside and we have taken notice. We need to go there and be solid and try to be ruthless in front of goal as well.”
