Sundaymail Editor
Langton Nyakwenda
THE devastating Covid-19 virus had begun to spread across the globe when Simba Bhora were promoted from Division Two into the Northern Region Soccer League (NRSL).
The global pandemic did not stop club owner Simba “Buju” Ndoro from strategising.
Nor did the pandemic discourage Ndoro from dreaming big, though his dreams were considered rather unbelievable and his ambitions out of this world.
That was back in January 2020, when Simba Bhora were bracing for the Northern Region Division One season, which failed to kick off because of Covid-19.
“You might not want to write about this, but I am certain we are not going to stay in Division One. In fact, Simba Bhora will not only gain promotion into the Premier Soccer League, but the club will also win the top-flight championship and play Champions League football,” Ndoro told The Sunday Mail back then.
He added: “You can call us ambitious, but this is because we are a determined club.”
The businessman had also been linked with buying Mushowani Stars, before the Mashonaland Central side was relegated from the top flight at the end of 2019.
“It was unfortunate that the team got relegated from the Premier Soccer League. We now want to try and gain promotion on our own; it’s sweeter that way,” Ndoro said.
As he envisaged, Simba Bhora did not stay in the NRSL for too long, as they won the championship on their debut.
They became the first team from Shamva to gain promotion into the Premier Soccer League, doing so in 2022, when football finally returned after a Covid-19-induced hiatus.
This season, Simba Bhora wrote another piece of history when they became the first club from Mashonaland Central to clinch the Premier Soccer League title.
A solitary strike by captain Walter Musona secured victory against Arenel Movers at Luveve Stadium and took Simba Bhora’s points tally to an unassailable 66 a fortnight ago.
“The feeling is unexplainable; I never thought I would achieve this,” striker Tymon Machope said after the final whistle in that game.
Machope has 11 goals this season, four behind top scorer Lynoth Chikuhwa of Highlanders. He received another national team call-up for the Warriors and is still in with a realistic chance of winning the 2024 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Golden Boot.
Yet some two-and-a-half years ago, he was a farm worker in Rusape, before being scouted by Simba Bhora coach Tonderai Ndiraya.
The youthful gaffer has finally landed the championship, an honour that had eluded him since 2016, when he got his first substantive coaching job.
It was third time lucky for Ndiraya, who had failed to achieve the feat in his previous stints with Ngezi Platinum Stars and Dynamos.
“Finally, it has happened,” an elated Ndiraya said. “We worked hard for this; the boys were determined, and this is good for the people of Shamva.”
Simba Bhora were on top of the log at the conclusion of Match Day One and they will end the season in the same position. But along the way, there were some interesting twists.
Although Simba Bhora slipped out of the top four on three occasions the whole season, it is interesting to note that they were five points behind then-log leaders FC Platinum at the halfway stage.
Pure Platinum Play had 35 points from 17 games and looked well-poised to march on and grab a fifth league title in six seasons. But the following seven rounds were decisive, as Simba Bhora picked up 17 points out of a possible 21, while FC Platinum managed seven less.
Simba Bhora posted big wins against Manica Diamonds, Highlanders and Hwange, as FC Platinum lost against Chicken Inn, CAPS United and Bikita Minerals during that spell.
That was the turning point, as “Go Buju Go” seized control after the conclusion of Match Day 24, beating Bulawayo Chiefs 1-0, while FC Platinum lost to Bikita Minerals at Sakubva Stadium by the same scoreline.
“Go Buju Go” went four points clear the following week, when Pure Platinum Play drew 1-1 against ZPC Kariba, while they edged Bikita Minerals 1-0 at Wadzanai Stadium.
By Week 27, Simba Bhora were nine points clear, after FC Platinum lost to Manica Diamonds at home, before dropping two points at Green Fuel. In fact, Simba Bhora were on top of the log for 73 days right up to the day they beat Arenel Movers 1-0 to clinch the title.
“The feeling is always great; it’s every player’s dream to win the championship,” said defender Blessing “Bisto” Moyo.
This is his fifth championship medal, after winning three with Dynamos in 2012, 2013 and 2014, before adding another one with FC Platinum in 2022.
Moyo’s partnership at the back with the gangly Isheanesu Mauchi and Webster Tafa has been instrumental for Simba Bhora, who registered 11 clean sheets in 16 matches at Wadzanayi.
“Go Buju Go” were unbeaten at the Shamva venue since March, when the stadium was homologated for PSL matches.
Their first home defeat came last weekend, when they lost 2-0 to second-placed FC Platinum, but the Shamva-based team had already won the championship.
“I am so happy because no one believed Simba Bhora would do it in only their second season in the top-flight. But we promised our coach and the club president that we would play for the championship,” said Moyo.
It is a double blessing for Moyo. He was also blessed with a baby boy during the season.
Simba Bhora’s title surge was based on a powerful squad that was assembled at the beginning of the season.
Ndiraya even faced a barrage of criticism for the large number of players he acquired.
That was after the arrival of 2022 Soccer Star of the Year Walter Musona, Malvin Mkolo, Junior Makunike, Perfect Chikwende, Mthokozisi Msebe, Taimon Mvula, Billy Veremu, Talbert Shumba and Gift Saunyama.
Ndiraya has silenced his critics and is having the last laugh.
And Ndoro’s dream of playing Champions League football has also come true.
Online Reporter