dyton mupawaenda
Veronica Gwaze-Sports Reporter
BEING captain has never been an easy task for Simba Bhora skipper Walter Musona.
He revealed the agony of being handed the leadership in a community with its own expectations of an ideal person they want to see leading their team.
Musona joined Simba Bhora at the beginning of the season after leaving FC Platinum.
The 2022 Soccer Star of the Year was part of the over 10 new signings the club introduced earlier this year.
Junior Makunike, Mthokozisi Msebe, Malvin Mkolo, Billy Veremu, Gift Saunyama, Perfect Chikwende and goalkeepers Talbert Shumba and Taimon Mvula also arrived at the club.
After arrival, Musona was handed the armband, taking over from veteran Partson Jaure.
“It is not easy to come to a ‘closed’ community, in the first days they made it apparent that we were outsiders and that the only way we could win them over was to give them good football and results,” said Musona.
“The leadership role was a gigantic task, especially being handed the armband from a player whom I now had to lead.
“At first, it was tough for me to command the seniors and charm the community and at the same time but we had to come together as a team and agree on unity of purpose and life became easier.”
Musona had to dig deep into his leadership qualities to navigate the pressure from the community.
He has scored five goals and is just three goals behind Golden Boot leader Evans Katema of Bikita Minerals.
“The armband keeps you on your toes, the Wadzanai community hates defeat so, every day, I have to step up and be there for the boys on and off the pitch,” he said.
“Coming here, from another mining community, I had a bit of understanding of how such communities function, it is a huge test of character but I am used to it now.”
Their next assignment is against ZPC Kariba this weekend.
“I have to keep on making them have faith that we can do it and as well make the community believe in us.
“Simba has passionate fans and every day, we have to make them believe we can do it.
“We want to go to midseason with maximum points to our name so that when we come back, we have a good starting point.”
Online Reporter