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Innocent Kurira, [email protected]

Simba Bhora coach Tonderayi Ndiraya has revealed that the club has yet to decide whether to participate in the next Caf Champions League edition, despite securing a spot by winning the Zimbabwean championship.

In only their second topflight season, Simba Bhora clinched the title with two games to spare, earning the right to represent Zimbabwe in Africa. Ndiraya is hopeful that the club leadership will sanction the team’s participation in the prestigious continental competition.

Members of the Simba Bhora technical department

“We need to sit down as management and see if we want to play in Africa or not, but that is more of an administrative decision.

“From a technical team point of view, we want to compete at this level, and that is a different challenge altogether.

“While we will retain the bulk of our players, we also plan to enhance our squad to become more competitive than we were this season.

“We will be facing champions from other countries, and that will not be easy. I have some experience of African football with Ngezi Platinum, Dynamos, and the national team, and I believe that this international experience will help us if we get the nod from the club leadership. We don’t want to go there just to make numbers,” said Ndiraya.

Simba Bhora joins St Paul’s Musami, Ngezi Platinum, and FC Platinum as the only teams outside of Harare and Bulawayo to have won the Zimbabwean championship.

They also became the first team from Mashonaland Central to win a Premier Soccer League title. The Ndiraya-led side will next face FC Platinum at Wadzanai Stadium before travelling to Nyamhunga Stadium for a match against ZPC Kariba on the last matchday.

Currently, Simba Bhora remains undefeated at home, and a win or draw against Pure Platinum Play on Saturday will secure an undefeated home record for the league campaign.

The decision to invest significantly in the refurbishment of Wadzanai Stadium, which cost over US$200 000, has proven to be a game-changer for Simba Bhora.

At the start of the season, they made headlines by signing 11 new players, including former FC Platinum duo Walter Musona and Perfect Chikwende, as well as Taimon Mvula and Junior Makunike from Dynamos.

Other notable signings included Wilson Mensah and Talbert Shumba from Triangle, and Malvin Mkolo, Mthokozisi Msebe, and Billy Vheremu from Bulawayo Chiefs.

Harrison Masina arrived from Hunters, and Gift Saunyama was lured from Black Rhinos. Last year, the club had 16 new signings, meaning they have invested in 27 new players