Northern Region Soccer League log leaders Simba Bhora have added seasoned coach Paul 'Popopo' Chimalizeni to their technical department as they seek to maintain their position at the top and win the championship.
Chimalizeni who was in charge of Banket United during the first half of the season, joins the technical team headed by Arthur Tutani as the second assistant after Johannes Bauti.
Ironically Chimalizeni's last match in charge of Banket United was against Simba Bhora in an ill-fated encounter at Kuwadzana stadium last weekend which was marred by violence with rowdy home fans attacking the match officials as well as Simba Bhora fans and executive.
Simba Bhora secretary general Taurai Janhi said the coming in of Chimalizeni is a statement of intent towards their quest to win the league title.
"Coach Paul Chimalizeni comes in with a lot of experience having coached for many years in the Northern Region Soccer League as well as the Premier Soccer League. He is filling the gap left by Ralph Kawondera who left last year. This is an attempt to cement our position at the top and ultimately win the championship at the end of the season," Janhi said.
Simba Bhora leads the race for the title with 36 points, a point ahead of fellow title aspirants Golden Eagles at the halfway mark of the season. The Shamva based side has been one of the busiest clubs in the league reinforcing during the January transfer window bringing in the likes of Barnabas Mushunje from Dynamos, Langton Chavinda from WhaWha and that duo of Webster Tafa and Tafadzwa Jaravani from CAPS United.
The quartet joined the cast of other experienced former Premier Soccer League stars that includes 2016 Soccer Star of the Year Hardlife Zvirekwi, former Dynamos defender Brighton Tuwaya, Reuben Machaya formerly of Black Rhinos as well as former ZPC Kariba left back Dexter Phiri and the industrious former Lengthens midfielder Stephen Matsangaise. Former Harare City and CAPS United striker Tinashe Balakasi leads the scoring charts in the league with 18 goals from 16 matches.
Chimalizeni's first assignment at Simba Bhora will be against Chegutu Pirates in the first quarter final of the Axis Super8 Cup on 16 April. The league matches resume on the second weekend of May after the conclusion of the Axis Super8 Cup semi final matches.
Meanwhile the Northern Region Soccer League has released the venues for the Axis Super8 Cup quarter final matches with the highly anticipated fixture between Simba Bhora and Chegutu Pirates penciled for Wadzanai stadium in Shamva on 16 April.
Herentals U20 clash against Black Mambas at Morris Sports Club the following day while Golden Eagles are away to Baobab stadium against Ngezi Platinum Stars U19 on 23 April. The clash between Commando Bullets and Trojan Stars is at Trojan Mine stadium on 24 April.