Online Reporter
Harmony Agere and Remember Deketeke
ZIMBABWE soccer kings Simba Bhora, bracing for their CAF Champions League bow received just kind of motivation they needed with the Government lending their weight of and Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Anselem Sanyatwe yesterday challenging them to shine on debut.
Simba Bhora will be Zimbabwe’s sole representatives in the continental tournament, with troubled Dynamos having pulled out of the Confederation Cup for which they had won a ticket after winning the Chibuku Super Cup.
Now all eyes will be on Simba Bhora to redeem some pride for Zimbabwe, what with the senior national team the Warriors conspiring to disappoint the nation with a pathetic World Cup qualification campaign.
Simba Bhora return to domestic duties tomorrow when they face Scottland in a top-of-the table Castle Lager Premier Soccer clash at Wadzanai.
But as they look to face Scottland in the Premiership, Simba Bhora have already intensified their preparations for their Champions League onslaught.
The Shamva side will face Eswatini’s Nsingizini at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown, Botswana, on September 21 in the first leg of their Champions League preliminary round tie.
While the local game had been on a recess owing to the FIFA international break, Simba Bhora were hard at work and were vamped at the magnificent Geo Pomona sports facilities.
Sanyatwe was their guest at their training camp at Geo Pomona and after meeting coach Joel Lupahla and his men and the club officials, the minister expressed confidence in Simba Bhora’s readiness for the African Safari.
“Today we are here at Geo Pomona facility, having been invited by the authorities of Simba Bhora Football Club,” he said.
“We are here primarily to see them going through their preparations for them to proceed for the CAF Champions League tournament, to start with them playing in Botswana sometime next week as the Champions of our national league.
“This time around, Simba Bhora are going to represent Zimbabwe in the tournament of CAF.
“We are hopeful with the performance of Simba Bhora all the way through until today, we are so confident that they are going to perform well.”
The minister was encouraged by the team’s morale and determination.
“I am happy that I had the opportunity to talk to the team members themselves. They seem to be very motivated,” he added.
“What we are anxiously waiting to see or to receive from the team is that they have promised us to perform very well and also win the tournament to bring the trophy home.”
Simba Bhora president Simba Ndoro welcomed the minister’s visit, saying it motivated both players and technical staff.
“I would like to thank the Minister of Sport, Ambassador Sanyatwe, for the visit as well as Dr Dilesh Nguwaya of GEO Pomona for hosting us,” he said.
“As Simba Bhora we are a very young side when it comes to the league but we have achieved a lot during the three seasons that we have been in the top flight.
“We had a five-year plan that we are still implementing and it is that plan which has seen us achieve so much in a short period of time. We promise the nation that we will do our best in the Champions League.”
Geo Pomona chief executive and executive chairman, Dilesh Nguwaya, said the company was proud to host Simba Bhora at its state-of-the-art facilities.
As Geo Pomona, this is part of our corporate social responsibility in the community, where people come and train and have fun despite it being a dumpsite.
“We are giving back to the community after transforming this place into what it is now.
“It’s not just an ordinary facility, it’s FIFA certified and it meets international standards. And we are happy that the team is conducting its training sessions here,” Nguwaya said.
Coach Joel Lupahla is satisfied with the build-up to their Champions League assignment said the team’s preparations were on track.
