adminBruce Chikuni-Zimpapers Sports Hub
SIMBA Bhora president Simba “Buju” Ndoro has become the first man to withdraw from the ZIFA executive committee elections scheduled for the end of this month.
Ndoro had passed the key ethics and integrity test and had been listed among candidates for the ordinary member’s position in the executive committee.
ZIFA’s executive committee, commonly known as the board, will, on January 25, have a substantive leadership elected into office.
And Ndoro is one of those men and women who had put their hands up to challenge for the six slots that are available for ordinary board members.
But it has emerged that upon some “deep reflection and further consultations with family members, Ndoro will no longer contest in the elections.
He told Zimpapers Sports Hub yesterday that he has instead opted to devote more of his time to growing the fledgling Simba Bhora brand. “I have used part of these festive holidays to do some soul-searching, re-energising and consulting with close family members, and I have come to a conclusion that for now I will let the ZIFA elections pass,” Ndoro said.
“I would like to thank all the ZIFA members who had put their confidence in me and nominated me for the post of board member.
“I still feel that even as we look to grow the Simba Bhora brand, I will be contributing to the growth of Zimbabwean football.
“There will soon come a time when I will join the ZIFA election race again when I would have done enough to put in all the necessary support structures for Simba Bhora, which structures at the moment need my close attention and input.
“As it stands, I might not find that time for the club if I have to devote some of my focus to the ZIFA business, which I feel is also an equally serious national task.
The youthful businessman’s investment into Simba Bhora and the refurbishment of Wadzanai Stadium in Shamva won him many plaudits in the 2024 Premiership season.
As a result of that huge investment in his club, Simba Bhora overcame the challenges of their rivals, including FC Platinum, Ngezi Platinum, Dynamos, CAPS United, Highlanders, and Manica Diamonds, to be crowned the 2024 Premiership champions.
Remarkably for Ndoro, his club secured the ultimate prize in domestic football in only their second season in the Premiership.
Ndoro revealed that the decision by Simba Bhora to commit to represent Zimbabwe in the CAF Champions League this year would also put extra demands on the club.
“Our ambition as we go into the Champions League is not just to make up the numbers but to make an impact and raise Zimbabwe’s flag.
“Part of the requirements for a club to take part in the Champions League is that we must have a women’s team, and it is something that we are working hard to establish in time for the CAF registration,” added Ndoro.
Ndoro, who has already made history by presiding over the first Premiership champions from Mashonaland Central province, also wants Simba Bhora to play their continental assignments in Shamva.
“We will be working closely with ZIFA through their First Instance Board (FIB) committee to see if we can match the CAF requirements for us to play the Champions League matches at home.
“It would be a particularly big move for the wonderful people of Shamva and Mashonaland Central, who have been with us throughout this journey from our days in the Northern Region Division One and have seen us win two championships in three seasons,” Ndoro said.
Simba Bhora and Chibuku Super Cup winners Dynamos will be Zimbabwe’s flag bearers in the Champions League and Confederation Cup competitions, respectively.
While Simba Bhora will be debuting in the Champions League, seasoned campaigners Dynamos will be making a second successive attempt at glory in the Confederation Cup, having fallen at the second-round stage to Botswana’s Orapa United of Botswana last year.
Dynamos, on their part, will be hoping that either Rufaro or the National Sports Stadium will be certified fit to host international matches by the time the continental assignments start. DeMbare had to make do with adopted homes in Gaborone and Francistown in Botswana for their matches against Zambia’s ZESCO United and Orapa United. However, work to install bucket seats, electronic turnstiles, and anti-doping rooms and improve general security around the two stadiums has been ongoing during the off-season break.
Online Reporter