A MASSIVE player exodus has hit former Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions Simba Bhora, with five key players confirmed to have left to join arch-rivals, and more expected to follow suit.
The 2024 champions yesterday announced the departures of influential midfielders Junior Makunike and Donald Mudadi, alongside defender Boid Mutukure, all of whom have joined the newly-promoted side, Hardrock.
Meanwhile, Soccer Star of the Year second runner-up Emmanuel Ziocha and striker Isaskar Gurirab have crossed the divide to join reigning champions, Scottland.
The departures follow the exit of coach Joel Luphahla, who surprisingly left at the end of the season after guiding the team to a third-place finish.
Luphahla has since joined former league champions FC Platinum.
In an effort to steady the ship, the Shamva-based side has appointed former Highlanders coach Mandla Mpofu to replace Luphahla.
However, Mpofu faces a daunting task as reports suggest the bleeding of talent is far from over.
Speculation is rife that more players will exit before the new season kicks off.
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Soccer Star of the Year finalist Ishe Mauchi has been heavily linked with a move to South Africa, while reigning Goalkeeper of the Year William Thole is reportedly a top target for the ambitious Hardrock.
This is the second time in as many years that Simba Bhora has been forced into a total rebuild.
At the start of last season, the club lost the core of its squad when at least 13 first-team players departed.
That group included then-Soccer Star of the Year Walter Musona, as well as stars like Tymon Machope, Vasili Kawe and Talbert Shumba, all of whom left to reunite with coach Tonderai Ndiraya.
Despite the heartbreak for the fans, there is a financial upside this time around.
Unlike last year, when many players left as free agents, Simba Bhora have cashed in on all five players who have departed so far.
The only major concern remaining is Mauchi.
The Warriors defender is likely to walk away as a free agent, as his contract officially expired on December 31.
Despite the departures, the club proved its resilience last year, managing to lead the title race for much of the season before a gruelling CAF Champions League schedule led to a late slump.
