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Mutare Correspondent
Manica Diamonds 2-3 Simba Bhora
THE pre-season shopping spree could be paying off for Simba Bhora FC after the Shamva-based outfit collected maximum points from this pulsating Castle Lager Premiership season opener played at Sakubva Stadium in Mutare yesterday.
Junior Makunike opened the floodgates early in the 10th minute before he doubled the lead for the visitors in the 21st minute but it only took a minute of fine exchanges that culminated in the hosts pulling one back through hard-working Kudzanai Dhemere.
The five-goal thrillers saw the hosts returning after the breather playing a more purposeful game and restoring parity in the 53rd minute through Trevor Mavhunga.
However, two minutes later, the man of the match Billy Veremu sealed his team’s dominance with a well-executed header that left Manica Diamonds goalkeeper Tedious Baye, a well-beaten man.
No wonder Simba Bhora coach Tonderai “Stanza” Ndiraya acknowledged that the depth in talent added to the squad through their recent acquisitions has strengthened their fortitude.
“I think this was a tough match. We played against a very good side that ended up runners-up last season and we were a distant 12th. That shows you the difference in terms of how the two teams performed last season.
“However, we then went on the market to beef up the squad. We brought in some good quality into the team and I think it is that quality that prevailed today.
“We showed that we are a competitive side and what is only left is for us to gel and let these players enjoy each other’s company,” he said.
In the post-match interview, Ndiraya, who appeared to be the more technically astute of the two coaches given the positive changes he made during the encounter, was quick to acknowledge that the victory did not come on a silver platter.
“This is not an easy venue. Manica Diamonds are a very good team. However, kudos to my team. In terms of creating scoring opportunities. I think we were on top of the situation.
“Football is about the tactics that you employ. We were leading and I felt we were taking out offensive players and bringing on players that we needed at the back.
“This is a good start but we will not be complacent. We will not be too excited. There is a long way to go. We still have 33 matches to play. It is a marathon so we just have to take each match as it comes,” said Ndiraya.
His opposite number Jairos Tapera said: “It is a bad result for us, losing at home in this season-opening encounter. Overall, I think it was an entertaining game of football.
“However, there are so many positives from this match that we hope we are going to build on. Last season we did the same we started badly and lost the first match of the season but we know this is a marathon. There are many more matches to be played.
“We managed to rebuild and ended up competing for the top accolade. I am not saying we are going the same path but we are definitely confident of a brighter future.”
Tapera, who did not have his much-publicised new signing Kuda Mahachi on the team sheet in this season opener, said: “Supporters should understand how we operate. You don’t buy a player today and throw them on the deep end tomorrow.
“Kuda Mahachi has been inactive for some time and we want to be patient with him, give him time to get match fitness and then have him play.”
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