Langton Nyakwend
Sports Reporter
OVER the years, Zimbabwe has produced some footballers who hogged the limelight more for their unique names than their skills on the field of play.
Yesteryear players like Uyera Mukorongo (Eiffel Flats), Mavhuna Mudare (Tanganda), Danger Fourpence (CAPS United), Honey Chimutimunzeve (Harare City) and Have A Look Dube (Njube Sundowns) are some of the players who earned national prominence because of their names.
Bulawayo Chiefs’ back-up goalkeeper Matripples Muleya recently drew attention, thanks to his strange name.
Kasimero Chimbadzwa is another fascinating name, though the former ZRP FC striker has another interesting piece of history attached to his name.
He still holds the record for the most goals scored in a season for the Northern Region Soccer League (NRSL).
Chimbadzwa banged 22 goals for the police side ZRP Football Club during the 2014 season and caused a stampede for his signature from among some top-flight clubs including giants Dynamos and Highlanders.
He finally landed at Bosso in 2016 before fizzling out of the limelight.
Chimbadzwa eclipsed MacDonald Motsi who had scored 20 goals for Gunners in 2013.
And now, his eight-year old record is under threat from Simba Bhora’s Tinashe Balakasi, who has so far found the target 20 times.
There are still 10 games before the end of the 2022 Ruyamuro NRSL season.
And Balakasi’s tally is also just two shy of the Premier Soccer League record set by Norman Maroto with Gunners in 2010.
The 31-year-old Balakasi’s tally is eight more than that of current Premiership top-scorer William Manondo of CAPS United.
Had his form not dipped in recent weeks, probably Balakasi would by now have set a new record for this exciting Northern Region Division One competition.
Balakasi is one of the reasons why the NRSL has suddenly become an attractive competition that has been drawing huge crowds. Such is the significance of Balakasi’s milestone that he has scored more goals than bottom placed CAM & Motor, Harare City Cubs, Banket United CUMA Academy and Come Again.
Balakasi has scored 20 of Simba Bhora’s 49 goals and has been key to the Shamva outfit’s quest to win the league title.
“At the beginning of the season we promised the owner of team Simba Ndoro and the fans that we were going to bring Premiership football to Shamva.
“So we have to do it, but we are not under pressure,” Balakasi said.
The gangly striker is in his second spell at Simba Bhora.
He has previously seen duty with Premiership sides, Harare City and CAPS United, but he feels more comfortable at Simba Bhora.
There, he has teamed up with the likes of Hardlife Zvirekwi, Dexter Phiri and Ronald Chitiyo and Chimutimunzeve.
“I am getting huge support from my teammates, the technical team led by coach Arthur Tutani also trusts me.
“They keep pushing me. Even when we are training and I fail to score they are on me, they keep pushing me. Most of my goals are a result of this motivation I get from my teammates.
“My teammates are actually disappointed that I still have 20 goals so I want to give credit to them. I have been playing each and every game, sometimes I am marked out of the game but they still retain confidence in me.
“They know anytime I can score.”
Balakasi began his career with Division Two side Budiriro Gunners before signing for Mushowani Stars in 2014.
He spent two years at Mushowani where he attracted the interest of Harare City.
Balakasi played for the “Sunshine Boys” until 2018 before joining Simba in 2019.
The former Dema United striker also had a brief stint at CAPS United before re-joining Simba Bhora in 2021.
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“I didn’t get the kind of support I am getting at Simba Bhora when I was at other clubs I played for like CAPS United. Maybe it’s because teams like CAPS United are big brands, so there is no patience there.
“I want to thank Simba Bhora for giving me the chance to showcase my talent. I am getting a lot of backing here and maybe that’s why I am scoring a lot of goals,” said Balakasi.
There was a time when things took a nosedive for Balakasi, who found a springboard from an unlikeliest source.
A rural team called Dema United based in Seke.
“I got frustrated at Harare City because of lack of game time. I ended up playing for Dema United which was playing in a league sponsored by Keni Mubaiwa in Seke rural.
“My uncle owned that team and they helped me a lot. I think that’s where most people started noticing me because those games were attended by some high profile football figures,” said Balakasi.
He believes Simba Bhora have the pedigree to win the Division One title but is quick to note that his team is under no pressure at all.
“This championship race is tight but as Simba Bhora we are taking it step by step, not looking at what other teams are doing.
“Herentals Under-20 and Golden Eagles are also in the race but I can’t talk about their chances.
“At the end of the day winning the championship is great but we are not putting ourselves under pressure.”
