FLYING START FOR SIMBA BHORA

Manica Diamonds… ....................................... (1) 2 Simba Bhora……… ................................. … (2) 3 MANICA Diamonds’ homecoming at Sakubva did not go as planned as Simba Bhora pinched all three points in a fivegoal thriller here yesterday.

Junior Makunike, who was surprisingly released by Dynamos in what was the transfer boob of the off-season, opened the scoring in the 10th minute.

Tymon Machope doubled the lead for the visitors in the 21st minute.

The hosts pulled one back through newboy Kudzanai Dhemere.

They restored parity in the 53nd minute through Trevour Mavhunga.

However, two minutes later, man-of-the-match Billy Veremu sealed his team’s dominance with a well-executed goal.

“I think this was a tough match,” said Simba Bhora coach Tonderai Ndiraya.

“We played against a very good side that ended up as runners-up last season and we were a distant 12th.

“That shows you the difference in terms of how the two teams performed last season.

“However, we then went on the market to beef up the squad. We brought in some good quality into the team and I think it is that quality that prevailed today.”

Manica Diamonds coach, Jairos Tapera, said: “It is bad result for us, losing at home in this season-opening encounter. Overall, I think it was an entertaining game of football.

“However, there are so many positives from this match that we hope we are going to build on.

“Last season we did the same, we started badly and lost the first match of the season but we know this is marathon.

“There are many more matches to be played. “We managed to rebuild and ended up competing for the top accolade. I am not saying we are going the same path but we are definitely confident of a brighter future.”

Kuda Mahachi was not in the Gem Boys squad.