THIS ISN'T A FRESH START, SAYS SIMBA BHORA CHAIRMAN
SIMBA BHORA chairman, Isaiah Mupfurutsa, says they are not starting afresh after acquiring 10 new players ahead of the 2024 domestic football season.
Instead, Mupfurutsa says it is a building process, which was just going on.
On Monday, the ambitious club unveiled 10 new signings, nine of whom were in the domestic topflight league last season.
They have seemingly filled all key positions from goalkeeper to striker.
The club brought in Walter Musona and perfect Chikwende from FC Platinum, goalkeeper Talbert Shumba and Ghanaian Wilson Mensah from Triangle, the Bulawayo Chiefs duo of Billy Veremu and captain Malvin Mkolo, Junior Makunike and Taimon Mvula from Dynamos, Eastern Region Soccer League top goal scorer Harrison Masina, who was with FC Hunters, and Gift Saunyama from Black Rhinos.
They have however, lost their hitman, Tinashe Balakasi, who is understood to be going to Botswana.
“We are not on a rebuilding course but the fact is we are still building,” said Mupfurutsa.
“As a top-flight side, we are still in our infant years and that means for us to have a complete squad that will challenge for the championship, it will need a few more years which translates to more than two to three years.
“We are in our second year and that means that we are still in the building process.
“So, if you look at our squad last season, it was new players and our major priority was to survive relegation.
“Now we have strengthened with new faces as we are now competing to aim for top eight and better.
“Real championship material is not built overnight and several clubs have already set precedence on that.
“It doesn’t need me to mention names so we are patient as a club as we are on the right path of progression.”
He added:
“At the moment we can’t say who is leaving and who is staying among our players as some had their contracts expiring at the end of December while some have to be assessed by the coaches.
“So, as a club, we decided to have engagements with those who were outside before going internal.
“In due course, all will be clear as to who will be staying and who will be leaving. The club has already started engagements with some players.
“We are ready to have Wadzanai as our home stadium when the league kicks off. The club is putting more energy and resources into making it possible.”