AGAINST a backdrop of recent national footballing disappointments, champions Simba Bhora are shouldering the hopes of a nation as they kick off their maiden CAF Champions League campaign this weekend.
The Shamva-based team is set to host Eswatini’s Nsingizini Hotspurs this Sunday, with club president Simba “Buju” Ndoro vowing to restore joy to local supporters.
The match, the first leg of the preliminary round, will be held at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown, a necessity due to Zimbabwe’s lack of a CAF-certified stadium.
This logistical hurdle, however, has not dampened the club’s resolve.
The match is more than just a game
It’s an opportunity to heal a country bruised by a series of disappointments in international assignments.
“We know we have not been doing so well of late in these international games,” Ndoro said, acknowledging the collective pain.
“Our aim is to put the smiles back into the people’s faces. We want to go out there and raise the country’s flag high.”
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Ndoro’s words resonate deeply with Zimbabwean fans.
Recently, the Warriors’ World Cup qualifying dreams were extinguished by back-to-back losses to Rwanda and Benin.
Herentals Queens stumbled in the Cosafa Champions League, and even the Young Warriors were on Monday booted out of the Cosafa Under-17 tournament which the country is hosting.
In this climate of dashed hopes, Simba Bhora’s rise from a newly promoted side to league champions in just two seasons feels like a fairytale.
Now, the team, coached by a novice in Joel Luphahla, is being asked to author the next triumphant chapter in Zimbabwean football history.
Their journey, however, hasn’t been without its challenges.
The lack of a CAF-certified stadium in Zimbabwe means they have had to travel to Botswana for their “home” game.
Despite this hurdle, the club’s preparations have been boosted by a powerful show of support from the government.
Sports minister Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe personally attended a training session at the state-of-the-art Fifa-certified Geo Pomona Waste Management facilities this week.
This visit, alongside other government and Sport and Recreation Commission officials, was a clear signal that the nation is rallying behind them.
Ndoro expressed gratitude to the minister before thanking Geo Pomona leadership for providing their top-tier facilities, which chief executive officer Dilesh Nguwaya said was part of their corporate social responsibility.
“I’m happy that Simba Bhora accepted our offer to use the facility,” Nguwaya said.
“This is a facility that is Fifa-certified . . . It’s our small way of supporting the team that will be representing our great country.”
While Simba Bhora are the favourite to advance, the path to continental glory is steep.
Should they overcome Nsingizini Hotspurs, a monumental clash awaits against Tanzanian giants Simba SC in the first round.
A victory in that tie would catapult them into the lucrative group stages and place them firmly among Africa’s elite.
As the team prepares to plunge into the unknown, they carry with them the hopes of a nation hungry for a victory.
Ndoro and his team know the weight on their shoulders.
“I just want to assure the football loving Zimbabweans that we won’t let them down,” he promised.
Simba Bhora are ready to show their power and strength not just for themselves, but for every fan waiting for a reason to smile again.
