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Raymond Jaravaza
IN January 2015, the self-styled doctor of Zimbabwean football Luke “Vahombe” Masomere embarked on a mission to assemble what he termed a “mean machine” at the now-defunct How Mine FC.
Football pundits and fans alike were all in agreement that the team could emerge as an indomitable force in local soccer — well at least on paper — judging by the collection of football stars that Masomere had assembled during that year’s transfer period.
The gold miners had swooped on ZPC Kariba striker Limited Chikafa as well as Highlanders striker Charles Sibanda.
Both Sibanda and Chikafa had graced the previous’ soccer stars calendar.
Devon Chafa and Tawanda Muparati also followed the bandwagon from Dynamos to How Mine and goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya did the same from Highlanders.
Ex-Caps United skipper Tapiwa Khumbuyani, striker Leftara Ndale from Masvingo United also followed suit.
With all eyes on Masomere to hand How Mine their first Premier Soccer League title, it came as a surprise when the club fired the coach eight months later after a string of poor results.
The “mean machine” had dismally failed to deliver.
Fast forward to 2024, eight years since Masomere bragged to anyone who cared to listen that he had assembled the best team at How Mine, another club has shocked the football fraternity with the acquisition of 10 players at one go.
Simba Bhora, the Shamva-based side owned by a gold miner and businessman who goes by the surname Ndoro, recently announced that they had beefed up their squad with 10 players and would be adding more in the coming weeks.
The team is coached by former Dynamos coach Tonderayi Ndiraya.
The lingering question is: Will Ndiraya’s killing machine conquer local football and gift Simba Bhora with their first Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title since the team qualified for the elite league last season?
The list of players recruited by Simba Bhora is quite impressive.
For starters, the team will be led by trusted goal scorer Walter Musona, a former FC Platinum left winger as well as right winger Tatenda Chikwende from the same team.
Dynamos also lost attacking midfielder Junior Makunike together with goalkeeper Tainom Mvula to Simba Bhora.
The spending spree extended to striker Wilson Mensah and Tanunurwa Shumba both from Triangle United.
To add firepower upfront, the free-spending club snatched the services of striker Harrison Masina from Zifa Northern Region club FC Hunters who bagged over 25 goals last year as well as attacking midfielder Gift Saunyama from Black Rhinos.
The duo of Bulawayo Chiefs’ ex-players Malvin Mkolo and Billy Veremu also made the journey to Shamva to link up with coach Ndiraya.
Simba Bhora, who finished 12th last season, said they are still in the market for more players as they target a run for the title.
Online Reporter