The ManicaPost
Moffat Mungazi
Sports Reporter
AGELESS Mutare-born defender, Onismor Bhasera, believes his South African Premiership football club SuperSport United have what it takes to win silverware this season as they bank on a blend of established and blossoming talent to drive them forward.
Still basking in the excitement of the extension of his contract, the seasoned left-back, said besides gunning for domestic knock-out honours, they also want to challenge for the league title.
Bhasera renewed his deal with the Pretoria-based side at the beginning of this month following the recent expiry of a 12-month term he was handed last season.
He will stay for another year at the club.
“I am delighted to be continuing with my playing career at this club — which has been my home for the past five years — for another season. My aim now is to repay the faith they have shown in me by playing a huge part during the campaign in our quest to lift trophies.
“As a club, we are looking forward to achieving great things together. We have put together a squad that is capable of delivering as everything is gearing for this season’s challenge. Our goals remain the same, that is to be a formidable force that guns for gold in every competition we play in,” said the Sakubva-bred star.
He added that they are keen to not only break into the top four, but also gun for the big one and participate in the African safari.
SuperSport United finished fifth twice (2020-2021 and 2019-2020) and sixth (2018-2019) in the past three seasons and also clinched the MTN8 Trophy in 2019.
The ambitious side begin their hunt for silverware this term with an MTN8 quarter final showdown against Golden Arrows tomorrow (Saturday) and Bhasera said they are targeting to kick-off the campaign on a high note.
After sharing the left-back duties with compatriot, Kuda Mahachi last season, Bhasera is vying for more regular action by holding down a first team jersey.
At 35, Bhasera becomes not only the oldest, but one of the longest-serving players at the Tshwane club.
The versatile full-back will be hoping to use his experience in the dressing room to spur Matsatsantsa to a podium finish. He has been with the team for the past half-a-decade following his switch from Bidvest Wits in July 2016.
“The team boasts a fine crop of a young generation of talented players eager to learn the ropes and showcase their talent. With the experience of the likes of myself, Ronwen Williams and Bradley Grobler, there is fine balance in the team and we can go all the way,” he said.
During the fruitful 2018-2019 campaign, the La Sakubva Junior product was honoured by SuperSport United and received the Coaches Award, while Warriors striker Evans Rusike scooped the team’s Golden Boot accolade after finishing as the top-scorer.
The ex-Kaizer Chiefs man has been playing in South Africa since 2005 after joining Tembisa Classic before they changed their name to Maritzburg United following the selling of their franchise.
Bhasera has also turned out for Golden Arrows and Jomo Cosmos in South Africa and also enjoyed a brief stint at Plymouth Argyle in England.
SuperSport United are coached by fellow Zimbabwean and former Dynamos defence stalwart, Kaitano “Ngwenya” Tembo, who rose through the club’s ranks from being a player, assistant coach and now the head gaffer.
