H-Metro
Bruce Chikuni
NEWBOYS Simba Bhora believe they have the ammunition to go toe-to-toe with champions FC Platinum in the Castle Lager Premiership at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow.
The Shamva side were one of the busiest clubs during the off-season window.
They released almost 90 percent of the players who won the PSL ticket in the ZIFA Northern Region Division One Soccer League.
Simba Bhora have two former FC Platinum players — Ali Sadiki and Blessing Moyo.
Moyo was shown the door by Mapeza, at the end of last season, due to unclear circumstances.
Sadiki spent almost five seasons at the champions and says he has nothing left to prove.
This match will also give the AYSA Academy something to cheer as four of their products, two from each end, will face off.
Simba Bhora have Ishmael Nyanhi and Tafadzwa Jaravani.
Walter Musona and Jarrison Selemani are in the champions camp.
Sadiki, who enjoyed two stints with FC Platinum, said they want to use this fixture as a reminder that Simba Bhora are here to be championship candidates.
He insisted they were not afraid of the champions.
“I’m very privileged to have been coached by Norman Mapeza, he did a lot for my career and I’m forever grateful.
“We are not going to sit back and take their punches but we are also going to show them what we can do.
“We have what it takes to collect maximum points and we have a decent squad which is capable to cause damage,” said Sadiki.
He added.
“We might be debutants but most of our players have been playing in the PSL for a long time and we have the experience and the youngsters.
“We want to play and win this game for the team president, Simba Ndoro, just to honour everything which he has done for us and particularly the Shamva community.
“This game will also serve as a reminder that we are not here to add numbers.
“We have so much to play for and we are appealing to our fans to continue supporting this project the same way they did last season.”
