SMALL COMMUNITY, MASSIVE DREAMS
WHEN the domestic Premiership rolls into Shamva this weekend, it will be one of the greatest success stories which this football-mad gold mining community has ever written.
It’s a mega show which the Shamva residents have been waiting for about 15 months since their favourite team, Simba Bhora, secured its place in the top-flight league at the end of 2022.
However, Simba Bhora could not play even one game in their backyard as their Wadzanai Stadium was deemed to be unfit to host Premiership matches.
This meant Simba Bhora were forced to squat in Harare and Ngezi where their played their home matches at the National Sports Stadium and Baobab.
But, thanks to the contributions of a community, which was united to ensure their team played its games at home, and an owner desperate for a homecoming, Wadzanai Stadium has undergone a spectacular facelift.
Simba Ndoro, the businessman who owns the club, has poured millions of dollars in the renovations, which have been taking place at the stadium, throughout the past year.
Ndoro grew up in Shamva.
He said transforming Wadzanai into a stadium good enough to host Premiership games has been his mission since his club powered into the topflight league.
Today, Wadzanai is a stadium which has a section which has some bucket seats and its pitch has been attended to and looks to be in great shape.
“When you want to see a united community then come to Shamva and check what we have done with our stadium,” said Simba Bhora fan, Mike Dzenga.
“Yes, without Buju (Ndoro) this would not have
been possible because every major project needs a leader and he has been our leader.
“But, the community also played a very big part and there is a feeling the stadium belongs to everyone who stays in Shamva.”
Simba Bhora, who are in only their second year in the domestic Premiership, now have their OWN stadium to call home.
It’s something that Dynamos, Highlanders and CAPS United, who are the country’s biggest three clubs, cannot boast of.
DeMbare, who turned 61 this year, will be in Bulawayo this weekend for a home league match while Simba Bhora will be playing in their refurbished home ground.