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Sports Reporter
Last season, the Castle Premier League’s moneybags held the mighty Highlanders to a goalless draw at the hallowed Barbourfields Stadium.
“Labo labana lemali yabo” was an oft-heard phrase at the time. Then Simba Bhora did the unthinkable: they beat Highlanders 3-0 in the reverse fixture! But there is more to this than meets the eye! And they are back in town on Good Friday.
For many older Bosso fans, Simba Bhora represents an ‘uncomfortable’ period in their very long history, 98 years to be exact – their dominance of Bulawayo was being snatched from their grasp, with the arrival of Delma Lupepe on the football scene with his money. A well-dressed team, organised administration, a more than fair recompense for the player and jetting to Harare for away games so often,set them up for a battle in the City of Kings and Queens, the black and white city.
Lupepe and his AmaZulu quickly sought to usurp Bosso’s claim as the crown jewel of Bulawayo football. That did not sit well with the Bosso multitudes. And this new breed of football money bags called Simba Bhora, is coming to town to ruffle the features yet again.
To remind the very black and white Metropolis of Bulawayo that money can and will buy you all the shining toys you want! Ask Prophet Walter Magaya and his Yadah! They bought themselves a shiny new toy recently, one that’s fleet-footed and is not a fan of his natural hair colour.
And oh! yes, Simba Bhora just want to rub their monied noses at Highlanders’ lack of financial muscle to become a truly super club! This is by far the easiest way to look at this very ambitious club and its owner Simba ‘Buju’ Ndoro, if you are a Bosso fan.
Simba Bhora will turn up with their fancy cars and nice, cool clothes smelling like US$10 000. Oh yeah, a Bentley, Gucci or Versace and Paco Rabane might just be entry level for these Shamva cats! They have ‘that thing’ right now!
On the flip side, more than a few of Highlanders’ own will probably have walked to Barbourfields! Not for lack of kombi fare mind you,but just so they can traipse through their black and white city towards Emagumeni, all the while singing their favourite Bosso party songs!
Even the beat that accompanies the dance routines will surely differ: Bosso will inherently lean towards the traditional and cultured while Simba Bhora will steer towards the hipper choice of song to go with dance. But be warned – if Simba Bhora’s travelling coterie of fanatics makes the journey to Skies, more exotic song and dance will be. Can money triumph over 98 years of a culture of song, dance and a trophy-less cabinet?
Mzilikazi township’s very own Junior Makunike could very well be the X-factor in this battle of the classes. Having terrorised Highlanders at the very same venue in Dynamos colours last season, Makunike is back with more of his spectacular brand of terror. But now, he is with the golden boys of Shamva, better pay, better kit, and happier vibes.
And a better team bus!
This reminds many a Highlanders fan about the one that got away yesteryear, in similar fashion and to the money club of the day: Ronald Sibanda to AmaZulu. Like the legendary Gidiza, Makunike is already in club number two without ever having donned the Bosso strip.
While Gidiza made his name at Highlanders’ local rivals, Zimbabwe Saints, Makunike packed a bag and first did his thing at Dynamos. Both earned moves to mega rich clubs after dazzling on arrival. And both tormented Highlanders endlessly! Just as their Benjamin-filled clubs did then and do now!
Highlanders fans will be anxious for Kelvin Kaindu and his boys to clip Simba Bhora’s golden-tipped wings and prove that all that glitters is not gold!
But truth be told, money and football are bossom buddies, ask Manchester City or Luton Town. Football matches are won via a cheque book or a very skilled voodoo dude. Either way, money makes the call!
Online Reporter