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Free State Stars goalie Shumba lauds ex-Pirates midfielder Masehe

Zimbabwean goalkeeper Talbert Shumba has lauded Innocent Mayoyo and Paulos Masehe for awarding him with a captaincy tenure at the now defunct Free State Stars, and he opined that the appointment had a huge influence on how he evolved as a player.

Talbert Shumba got the captaincy role following Masehe’s retirement to become the team’s head coach when Mayoyo parted ways with Ea Lla Koto.

Free State Stars have since been sold to businessman Bucks Mthombeni and is set to be renamed to Casric FC ahead of the new Motsepe Foundation Championship season.

As expected, there will be changes at the club, with Masehe taking the second assistant post, and Talbert Shumba likely to surrender the club captaincy.

But the gangly Zimbabwean shot-stopper is grateful that the now defunct Free State Stars showed him how to be a cut above the rest.

“The professionalism that was at the club is what I take going into the new set-up. I wish it was a dream that Free State Stars was sold, but it is what it is. We have to move on,” Shumba told FARPost.

“From where I came from, this was a milestone being team captain, and I learnt how to be the best among others. I learnt from the best, the likes of Paulos Masehe.

“I will forever look back and say this was a well-travelled journey, but unfortunately, not all journeys are concluded the way we want.”

The 32-year-old joined Free State Stars after being offloaded by Zambian giants Nkana. He believes his presence in the Zimbabwe national team also gave him an extra advantage over other players that were potential candidates to lead the Free State outfit on the field of play.

As they are under new management, the former Zimbabwean Airforce soldier is confident that he will help the team get promoted into the Dstv Premiership.

“It could be to our advantage as we all aim to play at the highest level in the country. New season, new club and hopefully, new opportunities for us to be among the country’s best of the best.

“Everyone wants to be promoted, and we are going to work hard and ensure that we maintain our places in the team with the objective of gaining promotion,” he added.

Free State Stars had been relegated at the end of the 2018/19 season, and now that their franchise was sold, players will be hoping for a change of fortunes.

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