‘WE’LL SURPRISE MANY’…Tsholotsho history maker targets Bosso Simbarashe Gorogodyo who scored for Tsholotsho FC, against Harare City
Simbarashe Gorogodyo who scored for Tsholotsho FC, against Harare City

Simbarashe Gorogodyo who scored for Tsholotsho FC, against Harare City

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
IT might be a week since he scored the first goal of the 2015 Premier Soccer League season, but for Tsholotsho FC midfielder, Simbarashe Gorogodyo, it feels like yesterday.

His 77th minute strike against an expensively-assembled Harare City announced Iziqholo zeZhwane’s arrival to the big league.

The attacking forward savours the historic goal for the first rural Premier League club in independent Zimbabwe. The goal was the first of the season, Tsholotsho FC’s first in the top flight and secured their first away win as well as their first ever win in the Premier League in what was their first match.

It is a goal that Gorogodyo will treasure for the rest of the season — probably his life.

Speaking ahead of their acid test against Highlanders at Barbourfields on Sunday, the 22-year-old said: “I just can’t find a proper word to describe the feeling of scoring that goal. Not that I was shocked to score for my team because I’m used to doing so. But it’s the fact that it was my debut PSL game and what a way to make a mark than to score for the first rural Premier League team in independent Zimbabwe.”

Gorogodyo had stints with Silo United (2011), Ziscosteel (2012), Mutare Polytechnic (2013) before trying his luck in Botswana where he played for Miscellaneous Sporting until the end of 2014.

He has been longing to play in the PSL, and when Tsholotsho FC gaffer Lizwe Sweswe gave him a job and threw him onto the fray against Harare City, he knew he had to make the most of it.

He knows that with every outing, the pressure to repeat his first day heroics grows.

“I might have scored the goal but I give credit to the whole team because everyone did his part. After my debut performance, there’s no room to look back. I want to help my team collect as many points as possible and through continued hard work, we’ll surprise many,” said Gorogodyo.

On Sunday, Tsholotsho FC — without a home for the next few months as their stadium is being constructed — will play host to Highlanders at Barbourfields.

Emagumeni, as Barbourfields Stadium is fondly known, has traditionally been Highlanders’ favourite hunting ground, where visiting teams have found the intimidating home support difficult to live with. Respect, yes, fear, no, says Gorogodyo when asked about Sunday’s clash.

“Football is the same and in my view Highlanders are just another team in the league against whom we’ve to compete for points. We’ve prepared in the best way possible and everyone is buzzing, especially after that win. We’ve confidence that we will continue building from where we left against Harare City.”

Tsholotsho FC’s midfield quartet of Gorogodyo, Ocient Ncube, Kriess Chitiyo and Butholezwe Ncube were compact in the midfield against Harare City, making sure that they did not give their opponents space to initiate moves.

They covered well for their backline with the striking duo of Kudzanai Machazane and Nixon Gama occasionally dropping to help their midfielders.

Goalkeeper Mariyoni Chang showed good command of his back four, Ricky Bota, MacClive Phiri, William Stima and Thandolwenkosi Ncube.

Their opponents on Sunday, Highlanders, are smarting from their 2-0 away defeat to ZPC Kariba which has heaped early pressure on new coach, Bongani Mafu.

In other matches, Chicken Inn will be hoping to add misery on Harare City when they meet at Rufaro Stadium tomorrow.

Chicken Inn were 2-1 victors in their opening match over Flame Lily 2-1, with Edmore Chirambadare and Mitchelle Katsvairo among the goals.

Defending champions Dynamos, 3-0 winners at home to Buffaloes, face a stern test in Gweru tomorrow when they take on Chapungu at Ascot Stadium. The airmen grabbed a point in Bulawayo during their 0-0 draw with How Mine.

Former Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu and his Triangle FC make a trip to Vengere Stadium in Rusape for a tricky fixture against wounded Buffaloes.

Triangle FC were the biggest scorers on the opening weekend after smashing Hwange 5-2.

How Mine, who flexed their financial muscle during the pre-season bringing on board Charles Sibanda, Devon Chafa, Limited Chikafa, Munyaradzi Diya and Tawanda Muparati, got off to a low start, playing to a 0-0 draw with Chapungu.

On Sunday, the gold miners have to redeem themselves in Rusape where face Dongo Sawmills at Vengere Stadium. Dongo gave FC Platinum a scare in a 2-2 draw at Mandava Stadium.

Caps United will be home to FC Platinum while ZPC Kariba take a long trip to the Colliery to square off with Hwange.

Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Fixtures

Saturday: Harare City v Chicken Inn (Rufaro), Flame Lily v Whawha (Gwanzura), Chapungu v Dynamos (Ascot), Buffaloes v Triangle United (Vengere)

Sunday: Dongo Sawmill v How Mine (Vengere), Caps United v FC Platinum (National Sports Stadium), Tsholotsho FC v Highlanders (Barbourfields), Hwange v ZPC Kariba (Colliery).

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