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Eddie Chikamhi-Senior Sports Reporter

IF anyone doubted that money can buy success, they should look at how modest Shamva-based side Simba Bhora have transformed in their first two seasons in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.

This is all thanks to the commitment of club owner Simba Ndoro and his partners who include businessmen Bright-on Ushendibaba and Brighton Bako.

From non-entities after finishing 12th in their debut season, coach Tonderai Ndiraya and his side are now poised to engrave their name in the history books of domestic football if they maintain their momentum.

Simba Bhora are enjoying a comfortable seven-point lead at the top in the remaining seven games of the mara-thon. They are unbeaten in their last 12 outings and the streak includes an impressive nine wins and three draws.

Ndiraya’s men last suffered a defeat back in June.

It is against this background that they host Chicken Inn at Wadzanai this Saturday.

If they come out unscathed, they will equal Manica Diamonds’ longest unbeaten run in the current campaign of 13 games.

Simba Bhora have not lost at Wadzanai since the stadium was given the greenlight to host Premiership matches by Sharif Mussa’s ZIFA First Instance Body before at the start of this season.

The decision to hugely invest in the refurbishment of the venue whose cost is estimated to be over US$200 000, has proved to be the trump card for Simba Bhora.

Simba Bhora have not lost a match at their home ground, in 14 starts.

They have won 12 and drawn only twice at Wadzanai, which translates to 38 points at home.

This means they only managed 19 points on the road from the equal away 14 games.

Therefore, if Simba Bhora are to win the title this season, it will be down to their conquering home form and the wholesale signings they made at the start of the season when they shook the market with 11 new additions.

The players signed at the beginning of the season included the former FC Platinum duo of Walter Musona and Per-fect Chikwende, Taimon Mvula and Junior Makunike (both from Dynamos), Wilson Mensah and Talbert Shumba (Triangle), Malvin Mkolo, Mthokozisi Msebe and Billy Vheremu (Bulawayo Chiefs).

Harrison Masina also arrived from Hunters and Gift Saunyama was lured from Black Rhinos.

Last year they had 16 new signings, which means in two seasons they invested in 27 new players.

The team has repaid the faith and huge investments of Ndoro and his partners and have so far amassed 57 points in 28 games. 

Their nearest rivals FC Platinum are on 50 points, ahead of the away trip to Hwange this Sunday.

A senior official at Simba Bhora believes the secret behind their positive march has been the chemistry within the club structures from top to bottom.