adminselection unlike in the past when a player was required to have played at least 50 percent of the total number of games in a season.
The new selection criterion that will also apply to coaches, has been viewed in some circles as a deliberate attempt to accommodate certain individuals.
The new system was announced by the Premier Soccer League chief executive officer Kenny Ndebele in a communiqué to various media houses and Premiership clubs.
Unlike in previous years the event will now be referred to as the Footballer of the Year selection, instead of the Soccer Star of the Year.
However it is the change in the number of games a player should have played that has already sparked debate among soccer enthusiasts who view it as a way of pleasing a few individuals, especially coaches, some of whom joined their clubs after the halfway mark.
In his communiqué Ndebele said:
“A player should have played at least 10 of Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Matches in 2011, any player who was shown two or more red cards during the season is not eligible for selection. Any player who received six or more yellow cards during the 2011 season is not eligible for selection. Any player who was summoned/charged and found guilty by his club, the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, Zifa or any court of law for any kind of offence shall not be eligible for selection,” read the statement.
While the other three requirements have always been there, it is the first one that many are suspicious about.
Championship winning Dynamos coach Callisto Pasuwa took over the bench when there were only 11 matches remaining to end the season. He replaced another DeMbare son Lloyd Mutasa and since over the years the coach who wins the title has always won the Coach of the Year award, Pasuwa is now eligible for selection.
The other Coach of the Year favourites Tenant Chilumba of Hwange and the legendary Moses Chunga of Gunners sat on the bench 30 times for the league matches even though Chunga had stints with Caps United before his unceremonious exit.
Some of the players that are already out of contention include FC Platinum’s Charles Sibanda who was found guilty by the PSL after an assault of then Chicken Inn assistant coach Adam Ndlovu, and Caps United’s David Sengu who was found guilty of bedding a minor and sentenced to 525 hours of community service.
Highlanders’ right back Lawson Nkomo is also out after picking up six yellow and two red cards, and so is Dynamos young midfielder Denver Mukamba.
Relegated Masvingo United’s Patson Sinamayi and Walter Mukanga also picked up six yellow cards each and are therefore ineligible for selection.
The 11 finalists and the Golden Boot winner will be officially known tomorrow while the Footballer of the Year, his two runners up, Rookie of the Year, the Referee of the Year and his two runners up will all be unveiled at a banquet to be held on 9 February . The venue is yet to be decided.-The Chronicle
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