The Sunday News
SOUTHERN Region-based Premier Soccer League clubs have been tipped to dominate the Soccer Stars calendar when the county’s eleven best players for the 2015 Castle Lager league are finally selected in Harare tomorrow morning.
Players from the southern part of the country have been in great form this season and it will comes as no surprise when they make up the bulk of the list.
Panellists that will include 33 journalists drawn from all over the country will be joined by 16 PSL club coaches as well as their captains, and will be expected to come up with the outstanding players of the past season.
Chicken Inn who landed their maiden PSL title last Saturday are firm favourites to contribute the highest number in the final 11. Skipper Danny Phiri, goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze, defender Lawrence Mhlanga, veteran midfielder Clemence Matawu, strikers Edmore Chirambadare and Michelle Katsvairo, have been exceptional in the Gamecocks’ cause.
Chipezeze has been brilliant, kept goal in 28 of the 29 matches Chicken Inn played on their way to sealing the championship. Mhlanga has been resolute in defence, Phiri has marshalled the midfield with seasoned Matawu, just like wine matured with age, and a flawless top notch display which saw him score five goals prior to Chicken Inn’s last match against Flame Lily yesterday, might even see he claim the Soccer Star of the Year for the second time.
Chirambadare was in superb goal scoring form at the beginning of the season which saw him lead the goal scoring charts for a while until he was overtaken by Highlanders striker Knox Mutizwa. The Chicken Inn forward was criticised for being more of an individual player which saw him transform his game in the second half of the season when he turned provider of goals.
Just last Saturday, Chirambadare created two of the two goals in his team’s 3-1 triumph over Harare City. His chip resulted in the goal scored by Tafadzwa Kutinyu and he put Katsvairo through for the third goal in the second half.
Katsvairo, released by FC Platinum at the end of last season had before yesterday’s season concluding fixture hit the target eight times for the Gamecocks. He earned the equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Tsholotsho and scored once more against Harare City.
Phiri and Chirambadare went into yesterday’s fixtures on five yellow cards with one booking for either player meaning that they wouldn’t be eligible for selection. Indications were that with the championship already won, the two were going to be omitted from the side which played Flame Lily yesterday.
FC Platinum is another club that might contribute a high number of players due to the great form they showed from May which saw them go on an unbeaten run. Brian Muzondiwa, Obrey Chirwa, Marshal Mudehwe, the Moyo twins Elvis and Kelvin have all been in superb form for the club whole season.
Despite their struggles this season, Highlanders, as has been the norm for years are expected to contribute a player to the top 11. Mutizwa is the favourite due to his superb goal scoring prowess with the striker also gunning for the top prize. Bruce Kangwa and Obadiah Tarumbwa might sneak into the mix as well.
Triangle, up with the log leaders for the better of the start of the league until things fell apart in the second half of the season have Hillary Bakacheza up for selection.
Chapungu maintained a middle of the table presence with Allan Tavarwisa and Tinei Chitora putting up an impressive display with the two deserving to be looked at.
Dynamos have had a poor season by their own high standards and the selectors will have a hard time in trying to come up with any DeMbare player who has stood up above the rest. Goalkeeper Tatenda Mukuruva and defender Godknows Murwira are the players that could be worth considering.
Caps United have also blown hot and cold this season without any player who has really excelled this season. Stephen Makatuka has been steady in defence resulting in a national team call up, Dominic Mukandi has had his presence felt in midfield while striker Dominic Chungwa is one of the top marksman in the league.
Raphael Manuvire has been the shining light with his goal scoring at a ZPC Kariba side that made a sensational entry into the PSL last season, pushed Dynamos to the end of the season, produced the Soccer Star in the form of defender Dennis Dauda, his runners-up Tendai Hove and Limited Chikafa as well as coach of the year Saul Chaminuka.
Harare City had a decent run but that has mainly been in knock out competitions which saw them overpower Dynamos in the Chibuku Cup final. Francisco Zekumbawira and William Manondo have terrorised the opposition defenders while Talent Chawapiwa was a marvel to watch in their midfield.
For players to be considered for selection, they ought to have played at least 10 matches, not received six yellow cards or two red cards during the course of the season, not found charged by the PLS or Zifa and never convicted of a criminal case by a court of law this year.
