The Stars who do it differently

Bruce Chikuni

SIMBARASHE Hunde, the founder of social football team Simba Stars, says his project has provided a home to many Premier Soccer League rejects.

Whereas the social football league largely caters for former players, and those with passion for the game, Simba Stars took a different approach.

They hunt for players considered surplus to requirement in the PSL and Division One leagues.

As a result, Hunde said his team had helped revive careers of a number of players who had planned to quit the game, after failing to make the grade, at elite clubs due to lack of connections.

“It’s very sad that nowadays you need to know someone to make a Premiership breakthrough,” said Hunde.

“So, I decided to form a club which focuses on giving these players a chance to prove their worth.

“We now have a player in almost all teams in the PSL, from this project.”

Hunde singled out Simba Bhora midfielder, Tafadzwa “Matanda” Jaravani, as one of the players who had given up on the game in the early stages of his career.

Jaravani later joined Black Rhinos, CAPS United, and even played for the Warriors in the last CHAN edition.

He said the team is a fusion of youngsters and former players, who give guidance to the future stars.

They have even exported some of their players to Spain, Poland, Zambia, Botswana and South Africa.

Donald Mudadi, Wellington Taderera, Tafadzwa Jaravani, Tanaka Chinyahara, Blessing Sarupinda, Kudakwashe Manuwere, Jason Kalumo and Tawanda Muyendi, are among players who have come through Simba Stars’ ranks.

He said most social league clubs no longer want to play against his team because of how they humiliate their opponents.