Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
FOLLOWING a pre-season characterised by major exits of key players, 2024 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions Simba Bhora have been forced into a rebuilding exercise ahead of the 2026 term.
And the Shamva outfit appear satisfied with the manner in which they have gone about the business of re-inventing under new coaches Mandla “Lulu’’ Mpofu and his assistant Philani Mabhena.
A number of key players including midfielders Junior Makunike, Emmanuel Zichoa and Donald Mudadi left Simba Bhora during the current transfer window.
Despite the departures, the Simba Bhora incoming tray has also been full, with the Shamva outfit yesterday announcing the arrival of three Namibian players: Kennedy Eib, who is a centre-back; left winger McCartney Tevin Naweseb; and attacking midfielder Leevi Alfeus.
Simba Bhora also unveiled highly rated Malawian defender Lawrence Chaziya on Monday.
Earlier on they had signed striker Claude Mapoka and former Highlanders and CAPS United midfielder Adrian Silla from Manica Diamonds and GreenFuel respectively.
Midfielder Tichaona Chipunza has also returned to Mashonaland Central after a quiet season with champions Scottland largely spent on the sidelines due to a long-term injury.
The seven players are expected to fill the void left by the departure of key men who include defender Boid Mutukure, Namibian forward Isaskar Gurirab, goalkeeper Tonderai Mateyaunga, Ziocha, Mudadi and Makunike.
Simba Bhora are also uncertain whether they would be able to retain the services of Soccer Star finalist Isheanesu Mauchi, who has been linked with South African clubs and a potential move to rivals CAPS United.
The former champions have since linked up with some of the latest recruits on their pre-season training camp in Botswana.
There is an air of optimism considering the level of experience that the new signings are expected to bring to the side, as they look to fight for the honours again this season.
The foreign players have international football experience, with defender Chaziya having been part of Malawi’s 23-man squad that reached the knockout stage of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
Previously he played for Malawian top-flight clubs Civo United and Malawian Super League giants Mighty Wanderers.
He also had a stint with Jordanian club Al-Hussein SC in 2022.
Standing at 1.90m, Chaziya’s profile promises a gem for Simba Bhora as he leverages his physical stature for strong aerial presence in defensive and attacking set pieces.
Namibian forward Naweseb also comes with considerable experience behind him, having also played for the na-tional team and having had a stint in Eastern Europe, where he played for PFK Qizilqum in the Uzbekistan Super League and at Sevan FC in Armenia’s First League in 2021.
He also played for local clubs in Namibia and neighbouring Botswana.
Simba Bhora have maintained that the pre-season player transfers were business decisions.
There were fears the club could lose the core of their players following an exodus of players in the past few weeks.
Apart from parting ways with the core players, Simba Bhora also lost coach Joel Luphahla and three members of his technical team to FC Platinum in a move that is likely to shake the club.
They, however, brought in Mpofu and Mabhena, with former Zimbabwe goalkeeper Energy Murambadoro coming in as goalkeepers’ coach and Brighton Chandisaita as the strength and conditioning trainer. Simba Bhora were promoted in 2023 and lifted the title the following season, under the tutelage of Tonderai Ndiraya.
It was a historic feat as they became the first team from Mashonaland Central province to win the top-flight championship.
Under Luphahla, they finished third last year.
