Bruce Chikuni
Sports Reporter
FORMER Simba Bhora captain, Tinashe ‘Maswera’ Balakasi, has been unveiled by his new club, Orapa United, in Botswana.
Balakasi has signed a one-year contract.
Balakasi scored 25 goals to power Simba Bhora into the ZIFA Northern Region Division One Soccer League, finishing as the league’s top scorer.
He scored 10 goals to shield the miners from being swept away by relegation waters.
And, with a bit of luck, he could have also found himself on the Castle Lager Soccer Star of the Year calendar among the league’s best XI.
Balakasi received the same number of votes as Ngezi Platinum goalkeeper, Nelson Chadya, but missed out after a tiebreaker.
He also became Simba Bhora’s first player to earn a Warriors call-up.
“I’m now focusing on this new challenge. It has always been my dream to play in a foreign land.
“And, I have been doing well for the past three seasons, so I can’t wait to see what this new league brings.
“Simba Bhora is my home, and I will never rule out the possibility of making a return in the future,” said Balakasi.
He added:
“I was just offered more here in Botswana and it was also difficult for me to say no to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of playing in a foreign land.
“I have a good relationship with the team’s (Simba Bhora) owner.
“He has been there for me many times and he also told me to make a return if things don’t work out as planned.
“They have also made some good signings and I feel like this is their season to make a statement in the league because the fans see Simba Bhora as a big team,” he said.
Simba Bhora have been conducting their pre-season training in Kariba for the past two weeks.
The team’s board member, Billy Shereni, volunteered one of his hotels for the club to use during this period.
They are expected to return to their base today.