Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
IT’S been a long time coming.
And Boid Mutukure will finally get to represent the country when he lines up for Simba Bhora in the CAF Champions League next month.
At 31, the towering defender is comparatively one of the best defenders on land and it’s perplexing he has ever been overlooked by hand-held Warriors coaches, who rarely let their eyes pass through the performances of players from fringe teams like ZPC Kariba.
He joined the Shamva club in the final hours of the mid-season transfer window as his move from ZPC Kariba almost fell through.
Yet he has already proved that he can be an asset for Simba Bhora after scoring in his first start for “Chinhu Chedu” in the Chibuku Super Cup first round that the team, however, lost on penalties to Dynamos at Wadzanai last Saturday.
But it’s being in the set-up for a team that is to represent the country in the premium inter-club competition in Africa that has him dreaming.
“I am absolutely thrilled by the prospect of playing in the CAF Champions League. It will be a dream come true for me,” said Mutukure.
“I was shocked to hear that so many teams in the league had formally made contact with ZPC Kariba for my signature in the mid-season window.
“On the list was Simba Bhora and once their name was mentioned, I couldn’t wait.
“Yes, it wasn’t all smooth sailing but I am happy I am now a Simba Bhora player.
“I can’t wait to play international football for the first time in my career.
“CAF Champions League is a huge competition and I am very excited.”
But before Simba Bhora can begin their CAF Champions League journey with a two-legged second preliminary contest against Eswatini’s Nsingizini Hotspurs next month, Mutukure has to tower up as the Shamva oufit fight to defend the league title on the domestic front.
The celebrations that erupted at Nyamhunga before his own eyes on the final day of last season when Simba Bhora were crowned the kings of domestic football still linger in his mind.
He was the captain for ZPC Kariba and he couldn’t let the Shamva team win their final game of the season, which was purely academic for them as they had long wrapped the championship.
ZPC Kariba won that game 1-0 but Simba Bhora were the ones for whom he would organise a guard of honour as they hoisted the PSL right on the pitch he called home for the past 11 years.
It was in this match that he also finally convinced the powers that be at Simba Bhora to bait him and just like that Mutukure, who has nothing to show for all his industry and compactness, could be on his way to winning the title on the books of the very people that celebrated the night out in the town he is seen as a cult hero.
Simba Bhora are top of the log table with 47 points after 24 games, just a point above second-placed Scottland.
They visit third-placed MWOS at Ngoni this Saturday looking to make yet another big step towards defending their title.
“For now, I am not even imagining it. I am only concentrating on playing the game and fit into the team’s philosophy,” Mutukure said.
“It will be great if we end up winning the league title but games are won in the field of play. I hope to add value to Simba Bhora, which is the reason I crossed all these provinces to be here.”
The centre-back, who can also play as a defensive midfielder had his best season last term when he helped ZPC Kariba to keep a record 22 clean sheets.
It was shocking not to see his name on the Soccer Stars calendar but that doesn’t concern him at all.
He has seen one of his friends and former ZPC Kariba teammate Vassilli Kawe flourishing at Simba Bhora last season.
Kawe has since crossed to Scottland but he has shared some valuable notes with him which he says will help him adapt to life in Shamva quickly.
Mutukure’s arrival has added more depth to Simba Bhora’s rearguard which already has Webster “Jita” Tafa, Isheanesu Mauchi, Roland Kangadzi, Carlos Mavhurume, Ishmael Nyanhi, Barnabas Mtuche and Blessing “Bisto” Moyo.
