CAPS UTD, PLATINUM MISS BOAT

Tadious Manyepo

Sports Reporter

CHAMPIONS Ngezi Platinum Stars have underlined their successful season by providing three players in the 2023 Soccer Stars of the Year calendar.

But, there are no representatives from former champions, FC Platinum and CAPS United.

The 11 soccer stars were selected by a panel of journalists, coaches and captains yesterday.

The selection panel also picked the Soccer Star of the Year, his two runners-up, Coach of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year as well as the Most Promising Player under the age of 20.

They will all be announced at a banquet in Harare this Friday.

Fans have also voted for a player they think was the best in the Premiership.

There were no major surprises in the Best 11 as picked by the selectors although some felt that there are players who made it ahead of those they thought deserved to be there.

The selection process, just like the FIFA Ballon d’Or, has always been controversial.

Ngezi provided captain Qadr Amini, goalkeeper Nelson Chadya and striker Takunda Benhura, who is also the Golden Boot winner, with 13 goals to his name.

Despite finishing the season in third place, giants Dynamos have two players on the calendar, including Donald Mudadi and his midfield colleague Tanaka Shandirwa.

Manica Diamonds have their top scorer Fortune Binzi who netted 10 times while Highlanders, who finished fifth, have two players – goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda and defender Andrew Mbeba.

Chicken Inn utility Michael Charamba and Tino Benza of Herentals complete the line-up.

There was no place for last year’s winner Walter Musona.

There will be debate as to why Musona, Brian Banda or Juan Mutudza failed to make it.

The same question will be asked on the likes of Simba Bhora forward, Tinashe Balakasi, who scored 10 goals in just 23 appearances with his goals saving his team from relegation.

There will be questions why there is not even a single Dynamos defender when the Glamour Boys had the best defence on land.