Andrew
Sports Reporter
Simba Bhora. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 2
Green Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
FREE-scoring striker Tinashe Balakasi was on target as he inspired Simba Bhora to victory over Green Fuel in the inaugural inter-regional Champion of Champions soccer clash at Wadzanai Stadium in Shamva yesterday.
Simba Bhora won the Northern Region Soccer League (NRSL), while Lloyd Mutasa’s Green Fuel booked their ticket into the Premiership after clinching the Eastern Region Division One title.
But in the battle to decide who between them are the kings of Division One football for 2022, it was Arthur Tutani’s Simba Bhora who prevailed.
Balakasi, scoring his 32nd goal from 36 games in all competitions, calmed the team’s nerves before a decent home crowd when he found the target in the 11th minute.
Green Fuel’s Maxwell Makomeke ensured the two sides would be tied at the break when he brought the Chisumbanje outfit back into contention in the 38th minute.
However, Simba Bhora ensured they would walk away with the honours when the unheralded Constantine Tinape found the winner in the 78th minute.
Yesterday’s win brings the competitions that Simba Bhora have won this year to three.
Apart from the NRSL championship title, they also claimed the Independence trophy challenge at Mucheke in Masvingo.
Simba Bhora were, however, denied a Northern Region League and cup double by rivals Golden Eagles, who handed them a 2-0 defeat in the Axis Solutions Super 8 Cup final at Rufaro Stadium two weeks ago.
Tutani praised his charges for ending their Division One reign on a high.
“Firstly, it’s tough luck for Green Fuel. Congratulations to my boys for winning the champions trophy.
“I am really proud of them.
“We cannot win everything, but it is a great way to end our season,” said Tutani.
He feels his charges will have to build from the win as they prepare for their maiden dance in the top-flight next year.
“We should not lose focus with the win, but, instead, we should build our preparations for next season starting from this win.
“It won’t be easy in the Premier Soccer League, hence we should work hard, because this game gave us what to expect next year.”
For Green Fuel mentor, the result was disappointing.
“It was not a bad game in terms of the competition, but a bad game in terms of the result.
“It was not the result that we wanted,” said Mutasa.
Despite the loss, the former Dynamos gaffer believes the Champions of Champions match was an eye-opener for his charges as they prepare for life in the elite league. “It was a learning curve for us.”
Mutasa revealed that he intends to beef up his squad.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter