PSL players to watch as Zim soccer gala begins

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
LET the games begin and new talent rock the scene.

The 2021/22 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season, which roared into life yesterday, brings about renewed action, with teams fighting for the title while others will be battling to save their Premiership slots.

Throughout the battles, new stars will be born, taking the limelight away from seasoned faces that always draw attention to themselves.

Thanks to the remodeled Chibuku Super Cup that was played in group format, giving clubs more game time and an opportunity to showcase a glimpse of what to expect in the championship, some players drew limelight and if they carry their form, then they can set the stage alight.

Chicken Inn finished top of Group B with 12 points, two ahead of 2019 Chibuku Super Cup champions.

Both teams, Chicken Inn and Highlanders were booted out in the quarter-finals by platinum sides Ngezi Platinum Stars and FC Platinum.

Bulawayo City and Bulawayo Chiefs were eliminated from the race as they finished third and fourth. City amassed five points from six games, while Chiefs managed three.

In the six matches played between May and October, players showed the zeal to compete, but what is clear is that they still have to work on their fitness levels, while coaches fine tune combinations.

Today, Chronicle Sports which extensively covered matches played at Barbourfields Stadium look at the players who make it into the Chibuku Super Cup Group B team. If their Chibuku Super Cup form is anything to go with, then these are the players to watch in the Premiership.

Goalkeepers

Donovan Bernard of Chicken Inn played five games, keeping four clean sheets, conceding once in the 1-1 draw against Highlanders. The former national Under-23 goalie commanded his defence well.

Defenders

Right back Highlanders’ Crispen Ncube gets the nod ahead of veteran Passmore Bernard of Chicken Inn. Defensively, Ncube was tight and when venturing upfront, he gave Highlanders another dimension. Barring injuries, he is one of the players to look at.

Left back: Bulawayo City’s Wilfred Munorwei who joined the club from Hwange had a great tournament. He has settled at City and despite being lanky, he showed grit, coming in with timely tackles. Munorwei delivered good crosses and always looked dangerous when overlapping.

Central defence (CB): Bulawayo Chiefs captain Marlvin Mkolo seems to have matured. The 26-year-old defender has been a vital cog at the heart of Chiefs’ defence. Mkolo even took the responsibility of leading from the front as he scored two goals in the tournament. His performance in the first half of the tournament earned him a national team call-up from former Warriors coach Zdravvko Logarusic.

Mkolo, who can also play as right back, is good on aerial and ground tussles.

Central defence (CB): Andrew Mbeba of Highlanders possesses leadership skills. He is the future Highlanders captain. He had an outstanding tournament compared to seasoned Peter Muduhwa. Many times, Mbeba never shied away from reprimanding senior players when they made mistakes and was heard barking instructions, organizing those playing ahead of him. At 21, Mbeba has a bright future.

MIDFIELD
Defensive linkman (DL): Nqobizitha Masuku of Highlanders. He maintained the Highlanders’ shape, protecting his central defenders.

Central midfield (CM): 21-year-old Mthokozisi Msebe of Bulawayo Chiefs has been outstanding. He can play as a winger or at central midfield as a creative player. A slippery player who is technically and tactically gifted. Chiefs are known to unleash rough diamonds and Msebe is one such player to watch.

Right Link (RL): Pintsized Highlanders winger Ray Lunga. Despite being short, Lunga is an intelligent player who always gave opponents torrid times. He made Bosso tick and his confidence is high.

Left Link (LL): One of Chicken Inn’s longest-serving players George Majika was involved in most attacks for the Gamecocks. His application to the game and ability to track back is a marvel.

Strikers:
Will go with Highlanders’ gangly striker Washington Navaya who scored one goal in six matches. Never mind the statistics, Navaya is one player who will tire down defenders and at any given time, two players will be watching him thereby opening space for his teammates to attack. With creative midfielders, he can be a trusted gunslinger.

Chicken Inn’s Brian Muza can play as a false 9. He likes ghosting from the midfield and pulling central defenders away from their positions.

Substitutes
Ariel Sibanda – the seasoned Highlanders goalie showed maturity in five matches he played, conceding twice and keeping three clean sheets. He commands his defence well.

Nielson Ketala – Chicken Inn’s centre back formed a good partnership with Moses Jackson. Camme in with good, timely tackles and seemed comfortable starting play from the back.

Xolani Ndlovu – fringe national team defender hardly lost possession, managed to keep his attackers at bay and also made calculated moves upfront.

Melikhaya Ncube – the 21-year-old Bulawayo City defensive midfielder did well to fill the void left by Dominic Mukandi. He’s tactically disciplined and hardly strayed off his position.

Sheppard Mhlanga – Chicken Inn’s anchorman made them tick, managing to break opposition’s play. A good reader of the game.

Alton Ndlovu – His arrival from Hwange changed City’s dimension to the game in the second half of the tournament.

He’s one player who is never shy of taking opponents on and the attacking midfielder created numerous scoring opportunities for his forwards which they fluffed.

Billy Veremu – Bulawayo Chiefs’ forward is full of energy. He’s got pace and skill, isn’t afraid to take on defenders and even takes shots at goal.

Obriel Chirinda – the Chicken Inn forward gave the Gamecocks another dimension to their attack. His runs are perfect but tends to be selfish with the ball, giving the opposition’s defence time to regroup. — @ZililoR