PSL: Time to change how things are done

Arthur Choga

The Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League season came to an end a few weeks ago, and did so amid the roar of global fanfare generated by the onset of the World Cup.

This meant that the long-awaited coronation of FC Platinum as champions was drowned out by the roar of upsets and knockout blows from Qatar.

The subsequent announcement of the Soccer Star of the Year, and the awards ceremony that went with it was also affected by the same noise. For those who missed it, Walter Musona of FC Platinum was named Soccer Star of the Year at a glitzy ceremony held in the capital last weekend.

In the end, the winners celebrated their achievements, and those who did not win were left to consider the possibilities.

We are now officially off season in Zimbabwe, and, to be honest, for the majority of fans, this means very little these days.

Judging by the apathy at the local grounds every weekend, the fans just could not care less. This rest period presents an opportunity for football stakeholders to come together and have deep and meaningful conversation.

It should be one that could result in incisive corrective actions for the sport, which is sliding off fans’ radar quicker than Germany exiting a World Cup.

Here are some opportunities we can start talking about, and which need to be addressed for the good of the local game.

Painful actions must be taken.

Football has surprisingly maintained a “business as usual” stance despite fans staying away in droves.

At this rate, they will stop coming altogether. This is a disaster for the local game.

Local clubs will suffer from using communal grounds for their games.

This means the teams cannot customise their match day experience, with some teams waiting to use the same facility.

We end up with a situation where the available grounds (the National Sports Stadium in Harare and Barbourfields in Bulawayo) are utilised faster than they can recover sufficiently to create a good playing surface.

At the same time, each game is prepared for in the same way as the next one.

Sponsors, club owners, fan representatives, football leaders, the media and sports lovers in the country must put their heads together and identify the problems.

They must come up with inclusive solutions that will result in joy for the fans, the sponsors and, most importantly, the clubs.

At the moment, running a football club is largely a thankless job, one that costs the owners massive amounts with no return in sight.

No fans means no gate takings and no viewers for pitch-side adverts, thus, nullifying the efforts being made to keep the game alive.

Some decisions will mean changing the way things have always been done.

Big earners

Each city in Zimbabwe has a small football stadium. In Harare, there are several small grounds that have a rich football history and a great atmosphere for the sport.

Arenas like Danny Bismark and Callies Motor Action come to mind.

The communities that own these clubs could take advantage of the lack of stadiums created by the ongoing repairs and other issues surrounding Rufaro and Gwanzura stadiums.

The owners of these facilities could take a leaf from Simba Bhora’s exploits and develop their grounds to PSL status, then invite clubs to play their home games there.

The setup at these clubs, with clubhouses and other facilities conveniently located, mean they could host even VIP guests, something that is extremely difficult to do at Gwanzura, for example. Funding for such exploits can be secured with a sound business plan.

Imagine PSL action at Danny Bismark . . . Some dreams can still come true.

Structure and strategy win matches

Bulawayo Chiefs began the season with clear plans, and they ended it with the country’s biggest knockout trophy in their cabinet.

This club has been relentless in its pursuit of its goals.

Clubs can no longer expect to pitch up for training, run, do drills and head back home, then meet up on match day and expect success. The game of football has changed.

The business side of football is positioning the sporting side for success.

Partnerships in technical supplies, accommodation, travel and literally every element of the club’s needs are vital for success.

The era of the chairman dipping his hands into his pockets to fund the team is no longer viable. Clubs without junior policies will soon flounder A quick look at the last PSL transfer windows will show the sheer numbers of senior players or veterans, as we like to call them, who moved between clubs.

Some of the senior players have played for almost every PSL team.

While it is good they are still attractive to clubs and command contracts, they are only human and will not be able to lace up their boots and get on the field forever.

Long-term football success will belong to clubs whose bosses have set up and are running sound junior development programmes.

These keep their first team staffing costs down. They reduce dressing room strife as the players understand the ways of the club. They also allow the players to develop a style and understanding among themselves.

Clubs with no discernible junior development strategy will feel the pinch in a few years.

This last season has been one filled with wake-up calls for those who choose to heed them.

The time is now, to do a roots and branches shake-up of the game or next season could be worse.

CASTLE LAGER PSL AWARDS

Soccer Star of the Year: Walter Musona (FC Platinum)

1st runner-up: William Manondo (Caps United)

2nd runner-up: Frank Makarati (Dynamos)

Top goal-scorer: William Manondo (Caps United, with 17 goals)

People’s Choice: Tinotenda Benza (Herentals)

Coach of the year: Norman Mapeza (FC Platinum)

Goalkeeper of the Year: Nelson Chadya (Ngezi Platinum)

Rookie of the Year (Most Promising Player of the Year): Jayden Barake (WhaWha)