Plymouth Argyle unsung hero has seen his career go full circle at 38: View | OneFootball

There were a number of players who come out of Plymouth Argyle’s miserable plight at the start of the last decade with plenty of credit, as they successfully fought to keep the Pilgrims in the Football League.

With off-field issues causing the Greens all manner of issues, it looked for all the world like the Devon side were heading into the abyss for non-league football, with administrators called in and the club facing the all-too-real situation of liquidation.

Successive relegations from the Championship to League Two were followed by back-to-back relegation battles in the fourth tier, with everyone with a green and white association coming together to fight for their side’s survival.

Onismor Bhasera was one such hero in those times, with the Zimbabwean’s energy on the left side of the field helping to earn valuable points for his side over the course of those tumultuous seasons, before his unceremonious departure from the club in the summer of 2013.

The Onismor Bhasera story: from South Africa to South Devon, via West London

Bhasera’s journey to Home Park wasn’t a straight forward one, with the defender making the move from Kaizer Chiefs in South Africa to England in the summer of 2009, in the belief of joining fellow south coast side Portsmouth, who were then playing in the Premier League.

But controversy broke out as the Chiefs believed they had another year remaining on their player’s contract, while Pompey were also under a transfer embargo due to their own financial irregularities, seeing the deal called off after playing in pre-season friendlies for the Fratton Park side.

Queens Park Rangers and Sheffield Wednesday were also said to be keen on the attacking defender, but a knee issue was said to scupper a move, as well as the ongoing situation with his contract.

Once FIFA got involved and settled the ordeal, the Zimbabwean was a free agent, leaving Argyle to swoop in for his services in the March of 2010, and thus a legend was born.

Right from the off Bhasera showcased his quality on the flanks with a series of high-energy dynamic displays, although he was helpless in stopping the Pilgrims from dropping out of the third tier, as he featured in just seven matches before their demise.

With points deductions and the ongoing financial disputes coming their way the following season, another year battling at the bottom of the league was on the cards, and despite ultimately dropping a division once again, the Zimbabwean had won over the Home Park faithful with a string of all-action performances.

While the defensive side of his game could be questioned at time, his ability to leave the opposition for dead gave Argyle fans some much-needed respite at times throughout a troubled campaign, as did his contribution in a memorable night in Milton Keynes in January 2011.

That’s the night the Devon side hosted their very own Goal of the Season competition at Stadium:MK, with Bhasera getting the show on the road with an unstoppable strike into the top corner following a lung-busting run from his own half.

Kari Arnason grabbed the second with a ludicrous attempt from 35 yards before Chris Clark rounded off the scoring with another terrific volleyed effort to give the travelling fans a high-spirited journey home.

It proved to be the high point in what was another miserable campaign, as relegation to League Two was confirmed although Bhasera wasn’t going to let another drop in division see him move away from Devon.

In fact, Bhasera - alongside the likes of Darren Purse, Simon Walton, and Paul Wotton - seemed to revel in the backs-to-the-wall situation they found themselves in, with every point earned becoming more and more valuable as the next season unfolded.

Even the most ardent of Argyle fans would have struggled to see a light at the end of the tunnel during these times; with fan fundraisers required to keep funds coming into the club and a series of waifs and strays recruited to try to keep their Football League status intact.

Every draw, every victory; it all seemed against the odds at a time when the Greens were battling at the bottom of the fourth tier, and it was the likes of Bhasera that helped the Pilgrims dream again, with his endeavour never questioned in his time at the club.

The Zimbabwean also holds the record for the quickest-ever goal scored by an Argyle player away from home; with his opener in the 2-1 win against AFC Wimbledon in March 2012 coming with just 11 seconds on the clock.

The following season was another nail-biter in Devon, as they held on to their place within the top 92 on the final day of the season by a point, with results going their way to keep them fighting in League Two.

Never has a defeat in Rochdale ever been sweeter; with Argyle fans storming the pitch in celebration; exemplifying everything that had been given to their team in the years that had preceded that moment.

Bhasera embodied that with his whole-hearted displays, and rightfully earned himself the Player of the Year accolade after another imperious season on the left side of the field.

Where Onismor Bhasera plays his football now after Plymouth Argyle departure

But those emotional scenes in Spotland were to be the last anyone saw of him in a green shirt, as he failed to turn up to pre-season training for the following campaign, despite a contract reportedly being offered to him during the off-season.

After rumours of him being on trial at Yeovil Town and Turkish side Elazigspor, a return to South Africa beckoned; as he made the decision to sign for BidVest Wits in Johannesburg.

A move to SuperSport United followed in 2016, and that is where Bhasera still plies his trade today, having featured a number of times for the side who play their games at the catchily-named Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium in Pretoria.

At the age of 38, the defender’s experience sees him deployed as captain for his current team, who currently find themselves embroiled in the race for a CAF Champions League spot in the DSTV Premiership.

He might not have the legs of his younger days at Argyle, but his infectious attitude will no doubt still be prominent at his current side, and the Green Army will know as well as anyone how much effect that can have on their team’s fortunes.