PSL player registration closes

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
PLAYER registration for the Castle Lager Premiership closes today and the league has said there will be no reprieve for clubs that will submit their lists late. Premiership matches kick off on the weekend of April 5-6 and the league has for the last three weeks been processing player licences for clubs who submitted their papers on the March 1 provisional deadline.

“There will be no registration after tomorrow. Once we close we are done and we expect every club to hand in their papers by end of business today,” Kennedy Ndebele, PSL chief executive officer, said.

The early submission was meant to give the league time to verify documents submitted by clubs so that if there are any irregularities they are attended to before today’s deadline.

Between March 1 and today, clubs were allowed to make additions or subtractions to their squads.
Last season’s runners-up Harare City were expected to submit their list of players yesterday alongside ZPC Kariba who paid their affiliation fee on Monday.

ZPC Kariba finished their recruitment process last month with the power utility company signing 15 players. They opted to go for experienced players in the form of the trio of Norman Togara, Pardon Chinungwa and Limited Chikafa who were at Triangle last season, ex-Monomotapa’s Obey Mwerahari, the Shabanie Mine duo of Caleb Masocha and Peter Muzondo, striker Tawanda Nyamandwe, Tawanda Munyanduri and David Rediyoni all captured from Caps United.

Moses Makanje, who turned out for Tripple B last season and relegated Black Mambas’ trio of Ben Nyahunzvi, Tsepo Ranthokoane and goalkeeper Tonderayi Mateyaunga, are also part of ZPC Kariba’s squad.

Norest Mukwezaramba signed from Gunners and Hugh Chikosa completes the 25-member ZPC Kariba squad.
The league promises to be a thriller as most clubs have been on the transfer market, strengthening their sides ahead of the start.

Dynamos and How Mine had an early 2014 season kick off due to their participation in the Orange Caf Champions League and Orange Confederation Cup respectively. They are almost done with their squads.

Harare giants Dynamos have during the season’s break managed to lure defender Themba Ndlovu from Buffaloes, defensive midfielder Walter Mukanga (Triangle), Masimba Mambare from rivals Highlanders, Ronald Chitiyo (Monomotapa) and Tafadzwa Rusike (clubless).
How Mine, who lost striker Simba Sithole to Ajax Cape Town of South Africa, were also busy on the transfer market getting Young Warrriors’ goalkeeper Donovan Bernard from Aces Youth Academy.

They also roped in ex-DeMbare defenders Morris Kadzola and George Magariro, former Caps United midfielder Marvel Samaneka, Dynamos reject Benjamin Marere, Heritein Masuku (Highlanders) and Edmore Muzanenhamo from Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer League outfit Ntabazinduna Prison.

Their top goal scorer in the Orange Confederation Cup with six goals in five matches Kuda Musharu joined them from Monomotapa.
Bulawayo giants Highlanders have also managed to attract quality players in the form of Kudakwashe Mahachi who is on loan from South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, the trio of Joel Ngodzo, Welcome Ndiweni and striker Charles Sibanda from FC Platinum.

Attacking midfielder Valentine Ndaba joined Bosso from Shabanie Mine with winger Rahman Kutsanzira retracing his footsteps back to the club from Caps United.

Goalkeeper Njabulo Nyoni and Felix Chindungwe complete the list of players that have been signed by Bosso having turned out for Chicken Inn last season.

Highlanders might make two late submissions should their coach agree to signing strikers Jerry Simfuwe of Zambia and Burundi’s Habbas Jim.

“The coaches are still looking at the two players and a decision is yet to be made. It might be today or tomorrow but it’s all up to the technical team,” said Peter Dube, the Highlanders chairman.

Ambitious Chicken Inn roped in Black Mambas’ Ben Nyahunzvi, ex-Bosso players Bhekimpilo Ncube and Graham Ncube, the duo of Ishamel Lawe and Passmore Bernard who were with relegated Motor Action as well as former Gunners and national team midfielder Ramson Zhuwawo.

Hwange have striker Aleck Marime as their only signing.
Shabanie Mine, who lost the bulk of their last season’s players, snapped Xolani Ncube from Beitbridge based Zifa Central Region Division One Soccer League club Town United FC, London Zulu from ZPC Hwange, former Young Warriors and FC Platinum midfielder Edmore Tsoro, Ryan Mabhena, Marvelous Dikinya from New West and the Chegutu duo of Simbarashe Domingo and Ashley Mokoena.

Shabanie Mine have also recalled Lloyd Ngara and Nyasha Mpofu who spent last season at How Mine.
They came to the rescue of Zvenyika Makonese who has been club hunting in Bulawayo since the beginning of the year with no luck.
FC Platinum captured former Highlanders gunman Njabulo Ncube, Tarisai Rukanda from Shabanie Mine, Stephen Sibanda (Buffaloes), Aces Youth Academy duo of Walter Musona and Wisdom Mutasa as well as reigning Soccer Star of the Year finalist Gift Bello who dumped Dynamos.

Mutare’s Buffaloes have roped in Tafadzwa Mombeshora, Frankson Bushiri, Blessed Mbavaira, Pardon Marima, Pervington Zimunya and Fungai Chirinda who were Shabanie Mine’s backbone and followed Masomere.