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Curtworth Masango Sports Reporter
SIMBA Bhora chairman, Isaiah Mupfurutsa insists they are not starting afresh after acquiring 10 new players ahead of the 2024 season.
Instead, Mupfurutsa says it is a building process as opposed to re-building.
On Monday we unveiled 10 new signings, nine of whom were in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League last sea-son, and seemingly filling all key positions from goalkeeper to striker.
The Shamva-based side brought in former Soccer Star of the Year Walter Musona and Perfect Chikwende from FC Platinum, goalkeeper Talbert Shumba and Ghanaian Wilson Mensah from Triangle, former Bulawayo Chiefs duo of Billy Veremu and captain Malvin Mkolo, Junior Makunike and Taimon Mvula from Dynamos, Eastern Region Soccer League top goal scorer Harrison Masina, who was with FC Hunters and Gift Saunyama from Black Rhinos.
They have however, lost their hitman Tinashe Balakasi who is understood to be going to Botswana.
Mupfurutsa said they are strengthening a squad that survived relegation in a debut season last year when they had to play all their matches away from their home ground.
“We are not on a re-building course but the fact is we are still building,” said Mupfurutsa.
“As a topflight side, we are still in our infant years and that means for us to have a complete squad that will challenge for the championship it will need a few more years which translates to more than two to three years.
“We are in our second year and that means that we are still in the building process. So if you look at our squad last season it was new and our major priority was to survive relegation.
“Now we have strengthened with new faces as we are now competing to aim for top eight and better.
“Real championship material is not built overnight and several clubs have already set precedence on that. It doesn’t need me to mention names so taking from that we are patient as a club as we are on the right path of progression,” he said.
Besides Balakasi, who was with the club since its days in Division Two, the club chairman said that they can’t say who will be leaving the club as they are still engaging with some of the players.
“At the moment we can’t say who is leaving and who is staying among our players as some had their contracts expire at the end of December while some have to be assessed by the coaches.
“So as a club, we decided to have engagements with those who were outside before going internal. In due course, all will be clear as to who will be staying and who will be leaving. The club has already started engagements with some players.
“We are ready to have Wadzanai as our home stadium when the league kicks off. The club is putting more energy and resources into making it possible.
“However, due to the issue of an early kick-off, maybe the stadium might miss a few weeks but all is set and the work is progressing to try to have it ready.”
Online Reporter