PROMOTED side Simba Bhora say they intend to make an instant impact in the topflight league in the coming season after they signing eight players with premiership experience yesterday.
Headlining the list of the new arrivals at the ambitious Shamva-based club is former Dynamos captain Patson Jaure and ex-Warriors winger Talent Chawapiwa.
Jaure’s teammate at Dynamos last season Keith Murera has also joined Simba Bhora to link up with former coach Tonderai Ndiraya who is now in charge of the team.
Midfielder Blessing Moyo who won the league title with Fc Platinum last season, but has left under unclear circumstances, has also been added into Simba Bhora’s books, and so is former Caps United defender Valentine Musarurwa, Hugh Chikosa who was at Bulawayo Chiefs last season, ZPC Kariba’s Vassili Kawe and young Alex Mandinyenya who is joining from relegated Harare City.
Club spokesperson Taurai Jani told NewsDay Sport yesterday that all the players had signed two-year deals.
He also confirmed that former Dynamos chairperson Isaiah Mupfurutsa had joined Simba Bhora in a similar capacity.
Jani said the club is not yet done with their business in the transfer market, but refused to reveal the identity of their next targets.
However, sources told this publication that the club are closing in on Yadah's Albert Manenji and Bulawayo Chiefs skipper Malvin Mukolo.
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They will, however, need to beat tough competition for the on demand Mukolo, with Highlanders, Chicken Inn, Triangle and Ngezi Platinum Stars all believed to be chasing after the signature of the hugely talented 26-year-old player.
To create space for the new arrivals, Simba Bhora has released 12 players including former Caps United duo of Hardlife Zvirekwi and Ronald Chitiyo.
Others who have been fired are Dexter Phiri, Kumbirai Kapikinyu, Genius Saukila, Blessing Mukoko, Nigel Tinarwo, Kudakwashe Brown, Mashet Jakarasi, Wilson Changani, Brian Kativhu and Langton Chavinda.
Five of them are, however, challenging their dismissal and have already approached the Footballers Union of Zimbabwe (FUZ) seeking recourse.
FUZ wrote to the league newcomers on Wednesday, giving the club a 24-hour ultimatum to reinstate the contracts of Zvirekwi, Tinarwo, Kapikinyu, Brown and Mukoko, arguing that the quintet was dismissed "without just cause”. But Simba Bhora refused to budge, and now a meeting between the two parties has been set for Monday to try and “find the best possible solution to the matter”.
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