Defender set to be rewarded for fine season

Senior Sports Reporter
AFTER an outstanding performance in the heart of Dynamos defence, steely defender Themba Ndlovu will have every reason to feel hard done if he is overlooked when the best 11 players of the season are selected. 16 Premiership teams’ coaches and their captains will join 30 sports writers from across the country when this years’ Soccer Stars Selection gets underway in the capital tomorrow (Saturday) morning.

In a pool of mediocrity, where none really performed head and shoulders above others, there were, however, some flashes of brilliance exhibited by a few players among them — Ndlovu.

With only three yellow cards this season and no red, in sharp contrast to more than six yellow cards a season and a good number of red cards per season since 2010, Ndlovu is eligible for selection.

Apart from being one of the most experienced players in the 2014 season, the 28-year old former Motor Action, Eastern Lions and Buffaloes hard-man fitted well into the shoes of Partson Jaure.

That Ndlovu has always been fantastic and consistent in his defensive role over the years is not in doubt but as is the norm in domestic football scene, it takes one to play for Dynamos, Highlanders or CAPS United for all and sundry to appreciate their talents.

So it is with Themba!
Apart from Ndlovu, Buffaloes’ defence link Tafadzwa Mombeshora, ZPC Kariba duo of Tendai Hove and Limited Chikafa, How Mine’s Kuda Musharu as well as Hwange’s Evans Rusike are some of the players many will expect to see on the 2014 calendar.

The Castle Premier Soccer League has released the names of journalists who will take part in this year’s Soccer Stars of the Year selection process.
Convener of selectors, Steve Vickers, said rules governing eligibility of players are unchanged from last season.

Players who have accumulated six or more yellow cards, two or more red cards and those found guilty by the PSL disciplinary committee or court of law are automatically disqualified.

“There are no changes with regards to eligibility from what was the case last season. The issue to do with yellow cards and red cards and being found guilty by the disciplinary committee is still the same.

“The only change in the selection process is that this time voting will be done electronically,” said Vickers.
The upholding of last season’s rules means that one of the season’s best performers, Pride Tafirenyika of ZPC Kariba, is out of reckoning having picked up six yellow cards.
Tafirenyika , who has been in irresistible form and is one of the reasons why ZPC Kariba are at the summit of the standings with just one round of fixtures to go, feels hard done.

Also ineligible is Caps United utility man, Hardlife Zirekwi, who was fined for his infamous urine splashing incident during his side’s league clash with Buffaloes at Gwanzura early in the season.

Just as was the case last year when Dynamos’ Tawanda Muparati was crowned king, there really has been no shining star on the domestic scene and the panel of selectors is likely to have a tough time in coming up with the best 11.

The selectors will also vote for the Coach of the Year with ZPC Kariba’s Saul Chaminuka and Dynamos’ Kallisto Pasuwa appearing to be in a two-man race to succeed Bigboy Mawiwi, who won it as Harare City coach last season.

The Under-20 Player of the Year and Referee of the Year will also be voted for at the same event.

Journalists’ panel:
The Sunday Mail — Ishemunyoro Chingwere and Langton Nyakwenda; The Herald — Grace Chingoma, Augustine Hwata and Edison Chikamhi; H-Metro — Mugove Chigada and Chipo Sabeta;

The Sunday News — Mehluli Sibanda and Nqwele Dube; Star FM — Howard Musonza and Muziwethu Hadebe; The Manica Post — Ray Bande; The Chronicle — Ricky Zililo and Sikhumbuzo Moyo;

B-Metro — Fungai Muderere; The Standard — Brian Nkiwane;

The Zimbabwe Mail — Don Makanyanga and Grace Chirumhanzu;

NewsDay — Henry Mhara and Tawanda Tafirenyika; ZBC — Merit Munzwembiri, Ian Zvoma and Collin Nikisi; Gemazo — Tatenda Makanda; Zifm Stereo — Alois Bunjira;

The Patriot — Alvin Madzivanzira; Southern Eye — Fortune Mbele and Sokuluhle Mtetwa; Daily News — Blessing Mashaya and Godknows Matarutse.