ZIMBABWEAN rock-solid defender Tatenda Gora is on cloud nine after successfully capturing back-to-back Botswana Premier League (BPL) titles with Gaborone United.
The Reds concluded their dominant campaign over the weekend with a 2–1 victory against BDF XI on Saturday. The win saw Gaborone United finish the season with a staggering 74 points from 30 matches — 15 points ahead of second-placed rivals Jwaneng Galaxy.
It was a near-flawless campaign for the champions, who managed 23 wins, five draws, and two losses.
Gora was at the heart of this ruthless machine. For his efforts, the former GreenFuel centre-back has been nominated for the BPL Defender of the Season for the second year running, having scooped the prestigious BWP25 000 award last year.
With the league’s awards ceremony scheduled for tonight, Gora is on the verge of completing a historic double-double: back-to-back league titles alongside back-to-back individual accolades.
Speaking on his incredible journey, an ecstatic Gora could not hide his gratitude.
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“I feel humbled by God’s grace to take me to such a milestone,” Gora said. “Winning the title back-to-back is never easy, but well, I did it.
“I feel very ecstatic being a back-to-back nominee. It's a great achievement; it simply shows growth in consistency. I played 29 league games (plus two Caf games and FA Cup games up to the semi-finals), keeping 19 clean sheets, scoring one goal, and providing three assists.”
Last season, Gaborone United narrowly missed out on the lucrative group stages of the Caf Champions League. As they prepare to fly the Botswana flag on the African Safari again later this year, Gora believes the team has a point to prove on the continental stage.
Despite attracting heavy interest from several high-profile suitors across the continent, the defender is determined to stay with The Reds to finish what they started.
“It is a great achievement to be in the books of the Caf Champions League as we have unfinished business,” Gora said. “As an individual, it's something that I was hoping for — to be playing in the Caf Champions League more often, so it’s a positive.
“I’ve been having many offers from different clubs, including local giants Mochudi Centre Chiefs, where Evans Rusike is playing right now, and international clubs in South Africa and Tanzania. But as I said earlier, I feel like we have unfinished business in the Caf Champions League with Gaborone United.”
While Gora continues to rule the roost in Botswana — a league that has rapidly grown in regional profile and previously exported Zimbabwean talent like Daniel Msendami to South Africa — recognition from the Zimbabwe national team selectors remains elusive.
Despite being overlooked for recent Warriors squads, the former GreenFuel man is keeping his head down, trusting that his performances will eventually break down the door to international football.
“When the time is right, the Lord will make it happen,” Gora said.
“So I keep the good faith with me that one day it shall happen.”
If he caps off his spectacular season by retaining his Defender of the Year crown tonight, it may become impossible for the Warriors’ technical team to ignore him any longer.