Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
SIMBA BHORA vice captain Webster “Jita” Tafa says they will learn in practice when they enter the CAF Champions League journey next month, after they were yesterday drawn against Eswatini side Nsingizini Hotspurs in the preliminary round.
The Shamva-based club will have their debut in the continental contest after winning the domestic championship in only their second season in the top-flight last year.
While the draw, held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, appears to have handed Simba Bhora an easy hurdle to clear the initial stage, Tafa does not see things that way.
“Remember, we are new in this competition. Most of the guys here will be playing at this level of the game for the first time in their careers,” he said.
“So, we are there to learn as we go about our business. Every team is tough at this stage. This is the Champions League, where the best from each country attempt to conquer the continent.
“There are definitely no easy opponents, absolutely.”
Should Simba Bhora jump the first hump, they will face the winners between Botswana’s Gaborone United and Simba SC of Tanzania.
According to CAF, the contest will begin with the preliminary games on September 19 and October 17.
The teams that will clear the two preliminary rounds hurdles will advance to the group stage.
This is the competition which the Shamva community has been waiting for, and for players like Tafa, the excitement is palpable.
“We have worked so hard to be at this level. We are representing not only ourselves and our beloved supporters, but the whole country and Zimbabweans in the diaspora,” he said.
“The responsibility is huge and we have to carry that in our minds always. This is the pinnacle of club football and there cannot be enough motivation than just being aware of this fact.
“This is how important the task will be for all of us as Simba Bhora and Zimbabwe. But we will not make any mistake to try and undermine our opponents.”
Tafa said Nsingizini Hotspurs were not in the competition by mistake.
“We are all the same, but I am sure Nsingizini Hotspurs have some continental experience and exposure than us,” he
said.
“We need to be careful when treading this path. We ought to be cautious, but we really believe in ourselves. Hopefully, we will be able to do well.”
The two teams are likely to play both legs in South Africa as both Zimbabwe and Eswatini do not have stadiums that meet CAF requirements.
Simba Bhora have always said their goal in the CAF Champions League is to reach the mini-league phase.
“We will only cross the river when we get there,” said Tafa.
“We will take each game as it comes. Our attention for now will be on the match against Nsingizini Hotspurs and so on.
“That way, we will be able to retain concentration and focus on the job at hand.”
Dynamos were supposed to represent the country in the second-tier competition, the CAF Confederation Cup, after winning the Chibuku Super Cup last year.
But the struggling Glamour Boys withdrew from the competition two months ago.
Last year’s Chibuku Super Cup runners-up Ngezi Platinum Stars declined to take up the spot, leaving the country with no representative in the tournament.
