Outcasts, rejects take over the show in PSL

Eddie Chikamhi

Zimpapers Sports Hub

AHEAD of the 2025 season, most of the football talk was about big-name transfers in the domestic premiership.

But six months later, the story has changed.

It is no longer about Walter Musona, Khama Billiat, Lynoth Chikuhwa or any of the marquee signings. The buzz in the Castle Lager Premiership is now about the so-called rejects and outcasts who have taken centre stage in the first half of the season.

Washington Navaya, Billy Veremu, Emmanuel Ziocha and Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya, just to name a few.

Rejected by Highlanders last year, Navaya found a new home at TelOne in his hometown, Gweru. That move has breathed new life into his career. He is enjoying his best season in the top-flight, leading the goal-scoring charts since Week 1 and often outshining players like Billiat, Musona and last year’s Golden Boot winner, Chikuhwa.

Navaya has already won two of the four Castle Lager Player of the Month awards, collecting the honours in March and April after helping TelOne stay competitive among the top performers.

“Based on my current form, this term could easily be my best in years,” he told Zimpapers Sports Hub in a recent interview.

“It is still early, but when a team is collecting points, it means we are in the right direction.”

With 10 goals in 19 games, Navaya has drawn interest from the South African top-flight.

He left for trials with newly promoted Durban City earlier last week, hoping his scoring ability and physical presence, he stands at 1,8 metres, will win him a deal. His rise mirrors that of Veremu, the MWOS forward, who has turned things around after being cut loose by Simba Bhora.

The decision by Veremu, who was seen as surplus at Simba, to go on loan to newly promoted MWOS has paid off. He has already scored 10 goals and added at least three assists.

Player intermediary George Deda believes a footballer’s environment plays a massive role in their success.

“Billy Veremu was hardly recognised in Zimbabwe, but he has hit a purple patch at MWOS,” he told Zimpapers Sports Hub. “The reason MWOS are where they are at the moment is mainly due to the exploits of Veremu.

“Look at Navaya at TelOne. Many people would think Navaya is a new kid on the block. But the answer is no. Navaya has been with Highlanders for a long time. But with this move to TelOne, boom, he is a superstar.

“And the two players who have naturally been rejected by their two clubs are the ones who are turning the tables. So, one thing that is mainly interesting to me is that the names of players who were making headlines at the start of the season are basically the biggest flops. The ones who were rejected are the ones who are shining like a rising star.”

Midfielder Ziocha was not appreciated during his two years at Dynamos. Now, he is making a mark at Simba Bhora. By Matchday 15, Ziocha had notched 10 assists and scored three goals, crucial numbers as Simba Bhora chase back-to-back titles.

He may not be a headline grabber, but the stats speak for themselves.

Ngwenya got little attention at FC Platinum.

But a recent scoring run, eight goals, and a strong COSAFA showing helped him become the first Zimbabwean to secure a move to South Africa in the current window, signing for AmaZulu.

Former Soccer Star Stewart Murisa believes players perform better where they are appreciated.

“There are some clubs where pressure is more,” he said.

“A player enjoys his football when he plays with a free mind. So, wherever you go, make sure you focus on playing the game. Recognise first that football is a talent before it is a job. Talents need to be cultivated through excellency and hard work.”

Murisa noted that many of last season’s top performers, and January’s high-profile transfers, were struggling this year.

Six players who made last season’s Soccer Star calendar, including the top three, Billiat, Musona and Chikuhwa, were signed by newly promoted Scottland. They built a “galactico” squad, but it has not worked out.

Billiat had scored seven goals for Yadah by this time last season and provided multiple assists. In 2025, he has managed just one goal and four assists.

Musona has been nearly invisible. Tymon Machope, who was on fire at Simba Bhora, has also failed to replicate his form at Scottland.

Chikuhwa, the reigning Golden Boot winner, has struggled so much he was loaned to Chicken Inn last week.

“It was always going to be difficult because Scottland is a new team that has just been promoted,” said Murisa.

“These players face pressure to perform because Scottland set themselves up as the team to beat because of the number of stars in their side. Everyone wants to beat them and every game they play is not easy.

“It’s easy to get up there, but to maintain that level needs hard work. I am saddened there are some players who have not been playing after moving to new clubs this year, but the same were big hits at their former clubs just last season.

“For the sake of their careers, I recommend that they should seek loan moves somewhere where they can play regularly. I believe one season of inactivity can set you back by two or more years, career-wise. They need to play again to regain confidence and rediscover their form.”

Other players like William Manondo, who left CAPS United for Simba Bhora, have barely featured this season.

Injuries have also affected players like Tichaona Chipunza, who helped Simba win the title before moving to Scottland.

Then we have Elvis Moyo, Sadney Urikhob, Emmanuel Paga (Manica Diamonds), Kingsley Mureremba and Cameroonian Emmanuel Joseph Mbollo, offloaded by CAPS United, all have been underperforming.

Some might argue it is too soon to judge, but the first half of the season offers a clear snapshot of who is thriving and who has flopped in the last transfer window.

Murisa says players can struggle in new environments.

“When choosing to move, of course, the first thing is to weigh the options available to you. Is the move good for you in terms of career development? But these players also have families to feed. If a club pays more than you’re getting, why stay? Money is important, but there’s need for balance,” he said.

Deda believes agents should guide players towards better long-term choices.

“Sometimes players need to be advised accordingly by whoever is handling them because football is all about career progression, and not only about what you put in the pocket at a given point and the big agency fees,” he said.

“If you move to another team thinking you are going to make more money, and then all of a sudden after six months or 12 months you are history, it will not reflect well on the reasons you left a team that was naturally giving you a decent income probably for the next five or 10 years of your career and a genuine pathway to development that prolongs your career.

“So, sometimes you see that us as football agents, we should put the players’ interests first and not think about the short-term gains.”