OLD TIMER

HE IS AMONG THE OLDEST PLAYERS IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN TOP FLIGHT, BUT SUPERSPORT UNITED DEFENDER ONISMOR BHASERA CONTINUES TO SHINE

- Mark Gleeson

Surgery at the start of the season meant that the new campaign began late for Onismor Bhasera, but once back to full fitness there was again no stopping the flying fullback from SuperSport United.

Bhasera, who turned 38 soon after New Year, is in his 15th season in South Africa, with more than 400 league and cup starts so far.

He is also hoping that later this year he might make a comeback to the Zimbabwe team for their next round of World Cup qualifiers, including a clash against South Africa.

"It was always an honour to represent your country," the left-back tells SoccerClub, having paid out of his pocket when he was last called up and Zimbabwe officials botched the arrangements for his ticket home.

"The game was the following day so I couldn't waste any more time. Instead of calling the management, trying to re-book and all of these things, I just had to make a decision. I was running through the airport to catch the plane and was the last on to board. I only had my dinner around half past midnight after I had gotten to the hotel," Bhasera explains.

He was there to help Zimbabwe qualify for their last African Cup of Nations finals appearance in Cameroon two years ago, after which the country was banned for two years by FIFA, but now they are back and sharing the same World Cup qualifying group with Bafana Bafana.