Balakasi braces for Axis Solutions award

Balakasi braces for Axis Solutions award

SIMBA Bhora striker Tinashe Balakasi has a chance to bag another Golden Boot award in a separate competition in the Northern Region Division One Soccer League.

Already the lanky forward has won the top goalscorer’s award with 29 goals to his name in the league whose curtain came down last month.

His goals helped the Shamva-based side to Premiership promotion.

And they have a chance to complete a double when they face Golden Eagles in the Axis Solutions Super 8 Cup final at Rufaro on Saturday.

The tournament was introduced this season and featured clubs who were in the top-eight by mid-season.

And it’s now down to the final with rivals squaring off at the ceremonial home of football in Zimbabwe.

Balakasi, who is leading the scoring charts with two goals in this tournament, is not primarily concerned with grabbing the Golden Boot award in this competition though.

“I have won the Golden Boot accolade in the league and I want to replicate that in the Axis Solutions Cup where I am already the leading scorer.

“But first things first. I am not going into the final with selfish ambitions. I am willing to work for the team, if I get a chance to score, I will, but the best thing I will do is to work so that the team can win the cup,” said Balakasi.

“That is my primary objective although I know that I also have a huge chance to finish the tournament as the top scorer. If that happens, I will also be happy but, look, the team matters and we are going to throw everything at Golden Eagles so that we win the cup.

“Basically, as a group, we all know what we want to achieve in this game. We are aware of the expectations and we are really out to wrap the season in style.

“As soon as the Axis Solutions Super 8 Cup was launched, we were very clear on what the target was. We are out to win that trophy at all costs.

“We have already won the championship and promotion into the Premier Soccer League and we want to add another title to the cabinet.

“There is no better feeling than winning a league and a cup double. Everyone knows their responsibility and we are gunning for the prize.

He warned his teammates to put their heads on the wall as Golden Eagles are a tough team.

“Golden Eagles are never pushovers. They are one of the best teams in the Northern Region Division One Soccer League. They are not in the final by mistake. We need to be organised if we are to beat them I am foreseeing a very tough game but at the end of the day, we have to do what we ought to do to win.

“We have to play for Barnabas (Mushunje) who perished in a car accident in May. He has been the star of our team in this tournament ”

Northern Region Division One Soccer League vice-chairman, Sweeney Mushonga, said there will also be live musical performances by top artistes to spice-up the final.
Source: The Herald
Read the full article here