Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda-Zimpapers Sports Hub
WHEN CAPS United won their third league title in 2005, a new chapter in the history of the Premier Soccer League was written.
Malawian import Joseph Kamwendo, who had starred for Makepekepe in that memorable season, was crowned Soccer Star of the Year.
He remains the only foreign player to win the top gong 21 years on. “It was the best feeling of my career,” Kamwendo told Zimpapers Sports Hub.
“Knowing that I am still the only foreigner to win that award gives me happiness,” added Kamwendo, who is now part of the CAPS United technical team.
Several foreign players have graced the local Premiership since then, but none has managed to do what Kamwendo did back in 2005.
But, that record could come under serious threat come end of season.
A good number of foreign players are rocking the Premiership which enters Match Day 20 this weekend. Probably for the first time in its history, the Battle of Zimbabwe between Highlanders and Dynamos was decided by West African strikers at Barbourfields last Sunday.
Nigerian gunman Benjamin Adeogun scored a penalty for Bosso before Ghanaian Frank Agmeyang equalised for DeMbare.
Agmeyang took his tally to nine goals, just one behind joint top scorers Ralph Kawondera (Herentals) and Washington Navaya (Hardrock).
Eswatini left back Kwake Twala has been consistent for defending champions Scottland who are also home to Namibian Moses Shidolo, regarded by some as the best central midfielder in the Premiership.
Christopher Nettey (Dynamos and Ghana), Neliswa Dhlamini (Hardrock and Eswatini), William Thole (Simba Bhora and Malawi), Nickson Nyasulu (FC Platinum and Malawi) are some of the foreign players setting the PSL stage alight.
Former Soccer Star of the Year runner up Justice Majabvi agrees the current crop of foreigners has added value to the Premier Soccer League.
“The foreigners have brought in the flair, the quality and the energy. They actually improved the local game,” said the former Lancashire Steel and Dynamos star player.
Majabvi, who played for DeMbare in the 2008 CAF Champions League semifinal, believes Scottland central midfielder is one of the best in the local top flight. A utility player, Shidolo can also play at right back when Ghanaian Issaka Mohamed is not available for selection.
“He (Shidolo) is doing very well for Scottland so is Kwake Twala, who I think is the best left back in the PSL. Twala is a very disciplined player who puts in maximum effort. You know what, it’s quite difficult to settle in a foreign country but these guys have adjusted quicker than expected,” added Majabvi, who also played club football in Austria.
Namibian giant striker Dawid Ndeunyema is beginning to show the real stuff he is made of at MWOS where he has been given the moniker Haaland because of his frame.
Against Manica Diamonds recently, Ndeunyema created and also scored one of the best goals ever at Ngoni.
He lobbed the ball past two defenders before calmly placing the ball into the back of the net.
MWOS coach Lloyd Mutasa believes Ndeunyema has the attributes of a top gunman.
“He can play for Namibia’s national team,” purred Mutasa. “When we took him in we promised his handlers that we would improve the player and that is exactly what we are doing.”
Beitbridge based football analyst Biggie Mabhidi is impressed with the caliber of foreign players in the PSL but has urged authorities not to forget developing local talent.
“This season we have a number of good foreign players. I have particularly been charmed by centre bac Nickson Nyasulu from Malawi. I think he is the best in the league. Dhlamini has been the driving force at Hardrock while Nettey has proved his worth at Dynamos,” said Mabhidi.
He added: “Credit should be given to those who are scouting these foreign players. These players are improving the quality of the league.
“But that doesn’t stop us from scouting local talent. We must not focus on scouting foreign players only, we have a lot of good players out there in Gokwe or even here in Beitbridge waiting for their chance.”
MATCHDAY 20 FIXTURES
Friday : Scottland v Manica Diamonds (Rufaro)
Saturday; Caps United v Triangle United (Rufaro), Chicken Inn v Hardrock (Luveve), FC Platinum v FC Hunters (Mandava), MWOS v Highlanders (Ngoni), ZPC Kariba v Ngezi Platinum (Nyamhunga)
Sunday: AGAMA v Herentals College (Wadzanai) , Dynamos v Bulawayo Chiefs (Rufaro)
