A lot is at stake for Simba Bhora in the CAF Champions League.
After their 1-0 win over Eswatini’s Nsingizini Hotspurs in Francistown, Botswana, in the CAF Champions League preliminary round, first-leg tie, they must finish the business in the second leg and continue to push for group stages.
The later stages of this competition is lucrative and woukd help the club financially. But above all, a strong performance in this competition by the players could just help put a strong case for national team selectors while giving them a chance to make moves to bigger leagues.
Ishmael Nyanhi’s goal ensured Luphahla’s charges take the slender advantage to Mbabane in the second leg of the preliminary round tie next weekend. There were several players making their debuts at this level of the game including the goal-scorer himself but for Mutukure, it was special.
Hotspurs returned home on Monday and immediately threw down the gauntlet. Chief executive Banele Ngobe, declared that Simba Bhora will face a storm in the return fixture.
“We faced a side that has already played 28 games in their domestic league. However, our boys did well as we created several chances. It is just that we were unlucky not to convert them into goals. It’s not over, we still have another chance at home. We will ensure they do not come out alive at Somhlolo,” he said.
Captain Neliso “Tiger” Dlamini echoed the fighting talk.
“We lost 0-1, which is not the result we were hoping for. However, we still have another 90 minutes to turn things around at home. We urge our fans (the 12th player) to pack the stadium and back us. We promise we won’t let them down,” he said.
Sunday’s clash carries added history. Simba Bhora will be the first Zimbabwean club in 13 years to face an Eswatini side on their own turf since FC Platinum’s 2012 trip to Somhlolo, when Donald Ngoma’s double inspired a 4-2 victory over Green Mamba.
