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Bruce Chikuni
Sports Reporter
IT’S a joyful moment for Simba Bhora owner, Simba “Buju” Ndoro, and his ambitious Premier Soccer League outfit.
And, it is for a good reason too.
This is because the club, in which he has invested millions of dollars over three years, has been rewarded by the Warriors selectors, with Simba Bhora being the only local side to provide two players to the Warriors.
Club skipper Walter Musona and strike partner Tymon Machope were included in interim coach Jairos Tapera’s squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and South Africa on June 7 and 11.
Tapera yesterday named a 23-man side which is expected to travel to South Africa for the back-to-back Group C assignments.
Zimbabwe will face Lesotho at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg on June 7 before making the road trip to Bloemfontein four days later, for a date against rivals South Africa at Free State Stadium.
Ndoro was excited to note the inclusion of his key forwards in the Warriors.
“I’m happy for Machope and Musona, but overall, this is a victory for the team and it shows our efforts are being appreciated,” said Ndoro.
Musona will be returning to South Africa to face some of the players he featured against during his stint at Polokwane City, three years ago.
After he left Polokwane City, Musona joined Sekhukhune United.
But he was to face the ignominy of being clubless for six months before he returned home to join FC Platinum.
Many thought that was the end of his football career, but it appears a return home has galvanised the 28-year-old forward and 2022 Soccer Star of the Year.
Musona has also been one of the stand-out players in the PSL so far this season.
He now looks set to be one of the key forwards in the upcoming two matches.
Musona yesterday paid tribute to FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza and his elder brother Knowledge for helping him revive his career.
“First thing first, I want to give thanks to coach Norman Mapeza for accepting me to join FC Platinum during my darkest hour.
“It was not easy for him to convince his bosses to give me a contract, with everything that was being said about me, but he stood by me when I needed him the most.
“My brother Knowledge is the one who motivated me to accept my situation and he insisted that it was not the end of the road. Those words have helped me to keep my eyes on the prize,” said Musona.
“I think I’m on the right track to prove to people that I am capable of doing what Knowledge used to do.
“We are two different players and he has inspired me to believe in myself. It’s my dream to also shine in Warriors colours, something, he used to do effortlessly.
“I’m grateful to God for everything he has done to me, being part of the Warriors is something, which every player dreams of.
“I’m going to try my best to meet the expectations of the coaches,” he said.
Machope, a late bloomer, has burst into the Warriors at the age of 30.
He made his PSL breakthrough last season when he scored seven times in 11 games.
“I have no words to say, I want to thank coach, Tonderai Ndiraya, for believing in me.
“I believe I could have been somewhere had he discovered me when I was still a teenager, but it’s God’s will.
“I want to thank Simba Bhora for giving me the platform and I’m going to try the best I can to make this moment memorable,” said Machope.
Online Reporter