Supersport give Bhasera lifeline

SOUTH Africa’s topflight football league side, Supersport United will absorb Zimbabwean footballer Onismor Bhasera into their academy when he decides to retire from the game that has given him fame and fortune.

The former South African champions have been impressed by Bhasera’s workmanship, with the left back presently being Supersport United’s captain.

Stan Matthews, Supersport United’s chief executive officer said they will be giving Bhasera, who will be turning 38 years old in January 2024 a short-term contract, as he winds up his illustrious playing career.

The industrious left back who had a stint with Kaizer Chiefs before moving to English Championship side Plymouth Argyle for the 2009/10 season up to 2013 when he returned to South Africa to join Bidvest Wits, was described as a disciplined and examplary athlete.

By being offered a position at Supersport United’s academy, which is known for churning out talented youngsters, Bhasera will be following in the footsteps of Kaitano Tembo.

“Supersport United has had dozens of Zimbabwean players because they are hardworking and disciplined people.

I took Kaitano Tembo and when he retired he went to the academy, coached from Under-9s up to Under-19s.

“He went on to be the first team assistant coach before being made head coach in 2019 when he won us a major trophy.

“Right now I have my captain Onismor Bhasera and George Chigova (goalkeeper). Bhasera will be turning 38, he’ll be joining the academy and we will give him a short-term playing contract,” said Matthews.

He revealed the decision to rope in Bhasera while presenting at a day-long workshop which ran under the theme; “It’s time to make Zimfootball exciting again” on Monday.

The workshop was organised by the country’s leading media house, Zimpapers, who took an active initiative to make Zimbabwe’s football exciting again by holding an Indaba meant to find ways of bringing fans back into the stadia.

Through their ZTNPrime, the Premier Soccer League’s official broadcasting partner, Zimpapers partnered top sports broadcaster Supersport to capacitate local clubs.

Matthews, a seasoned administrator told clubs to invest in quality development coaches as they are the backbone of the clubs.

Matthews passionately spoke about the need to understand that clubs can generate more revenue producing talent that they can sell and get paid development fees that can sustain the clubs.

Bhasera’s elevation to the academy after his playing days is a vote of confidence in the Zimbabwean’s leadership and mentorship skills.

Having joined Supersport at the start of the 2016/17 season from now defunct Bidvest Wits, Bhasera has made 145 league appearances in seven years.
He was part of the team that won the 2017/18 and 2019/20 Super 8 titles as well as the 2016/17 Nedbank Cup. — @ZililoR