Simba Bhora defender Patson Jaure says the team is determined to give club owner Simba "Buju" Ndoro the perfect birthday present by beating Yadah FC at Wadzanai Stadium on Saturday.
Buju turned 47 today, three days before his club's big clash against the Miracle Boys, a team owned by his close ally, prophet Walter Magaya.
Jaure admits that three points against Yadah would be a fitting gift to the Harare businessman who has invested millions of his personal wealth in the football project.
"We want to win the match for two important reasons," Jaure said.
"We could go top of the log if we win on Saturday. Equally important, we want to celebrate Boss Buju's birthday with a win. I think he deserves a win for what he has done for us as the players, the club and the community of Shamva. As players, we want to give him this gift."
Simba Bhora, in only their second year in the premier league, are one of the favorites to win the title, as the Tonderai Ndiraya coached side currently sits on second position on the log standings, with 40 points, just two behind log leaders Fc Platinum.
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There are 13 matches remaining before the season ends.
Buju credited the team's good fortunes to Magaya, although he said Yadah should not expect any favors from his team on Saturday.
"I want to thank God for this good health. It has been His will for me to be in a position to create opportunities for people around me," Buju said.
"The club gives me joy. Our position on the log table gives me goosebumps and the team has made me feel like I am prophet Walter Magaya because of the impact that we have made in the community of Shamva.
“I want to thank the prophet for being my advisor and a friend. He has been fully involved behind the scenes to make Simba Bhora a club that it is today. Besides assisting me with resources to build Wadzanai Stadium, he also helps me a lot spiritually. What he has done to the development of local sport, with football in particular, is phenomenal. It is my dream to one day emulate his achievements."
Buju also thanked his wife Tonderai, the club's vice president.
"She is a powerful woman, and she is doing a great job in ensuring stability at Simba Bhora," he said.
The Saturday game will see two of the best players in the league so far coming head to head.
On one side will be the currently dazzling Khama Billiat, who is leading Yadah with aplomb, against the evergreen Walter Musona, who is on course to captain Simba Bhora to league glory.
Billiat leads the scoring charts with nine goals, and Jaure is aware of the danger posed by his former Warriors teammate.
The defender, however, wants his mates to focus on Yadah as a team rather than an individual.
"Khama is an exceptional talent, and there is no doubt about that. But Yadah is very strong as a unit and if we decide to focus on one player, that would be suicidal. We have to manage them as a team."
This game, expected to be played in front of a full house, also presents a clash of the in form teams.
Simba Bhora are unbeaten in their last five matches, winning four while Yadah have also not lost a game in their last five matches, winning three.
"We are in a good space right now, but we have to guard against complacency," Jaure warned.
Simba Bhora won the reverse fixture 2-1 at the Heart Stadium.