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Langton Nyakwenda
THERE has been an interesting connection between the Soccer Star of the Year winner and the team that wins the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League championship, especially in the last 15 seasons.
Statistically, the probability of a Soccer Star of the Year coming from a team that wins the championship is very high.
The Soccer Star of the Year has come from a team that did not win the title on only three occasions since 2007.
Evans Chikwaikwai won it with Njube Sundowns in 2008, the same year Monomotapa won their maiden and only league championship. Dennis Dauda was the star man in 2014, when his side ZPC Kariba finished second to Dynamos.
In 2019, Joel “Josta” Ngodzo won the top gong in a year CAPS United faltered on the last day of the race to finish third behind champions FC Platinum and Chicken Inn.
Perhaps the trend was mainly influenced by the fact that panellists usually converged to select the soccer star before the conclusion of the season.
When Dauda won it in 2014, voting was done 24 hours before the final day of the season, with ZPC Kariba well poised to win a historic championship on their debut.
ZPC Kariba needed at least a draw against CAPS United at Gwanzura, which was their home ground, but Kauya Katururu were stunned 3-2 by a Makepekepe side that was playing for nothing, while DeMbare dismissed How Mine 2-0 at the National Sports Stadium to clinch the title.
But the timing of the selection was revised post-2019, as the panellists now converge after the conclusion of the season.
Resultantly, the Soccer Star of the Year has been coming from a team that wins the league championship.
Walter Musona led FC Platinum to a record-equalling fourth straight title in 2022 and was rewarded with the top gong.
So did Qadr Amini with Ngezi Platinum Stars last term.
That is why many are expecting Musona to win his second Soccer Star award should he guide his new club Simba Bhora to the podium.
There are four rounds left in the 2024 season and Simba Bhora are six points clear of FC Platinum.
“Go Buju Go” need seven points to attain an unassailable lead, provided Pure Platinum Play win their last four matches.
Musona, who has nine goals and several assists, has been instrumental for Simba Bhora, who could become the first team from Mashonaland Central to win the Premiership title.
But there are others who strongly feel Yadah Stars kingpin Khama “Gaucho” Billiat might break tradition and become the fourth player to win the top gong, coming from a non-title-winning side since 2007.
The 33-year-old has revived his career at Yadah, where he has scored 12 goals and is the joint leading scorer with CAPS United’s William Manondo and Lynoth Chikuhwa of Highlanders.
Both Manondo and Chikuhwa are tipped to be on the Soccer Stars calendar.
Emmanuel Jalai has also done well for Dynamos, who are playing Manica Diamonds in the Chibuku Super Cup semifinal at Rufaro tomorrow.
Jalai is the most senior player at DeMbare, having joined the Harare giants in 2019, and the pint-sized right-back has been a revelation for Lloyd Chigowe’s side.
The 2024 season is 88 percent done, with 270 matches having been played and it’s almost time to select the best players for the season.
The Premier Soccer League are yet to set the date for the selection, but debate on the subject is getting into overdrive.
“There are a number of players who excelled. If you look at Walter (Musona) and Billiat, they were the top performers and I would like to believe they will be among the top three,” says former Blackpool and CAPS United defender Dumisani “Commando” Mpofu.
Added the former Warriors player: “Ngezi Platinum Stars central defender Kudzai Chigwida and Yadah’s upcoming star Blessed Ndereki should also be considered.
“I also think Simba Bhora striker Tymon Machope should be among the best eleven.”
Machope has scored 10 goals and is still in with a big chance to claim the Golden Boot.
ZPC Kariba are among the relegation candidates, yet they have the best defence.
“Kauya Katuruturu” have conceded 17 times and have a better record than title contenders Simba Bhora and FC Platinum.
Their defence is marshalled by the long-serving Boid Mutukure, who could gatecrash the Soccer Stars’ calendar based on that statistic.
FC Platinum have scored the most number of goals — 41.
Their attack is spearheaded by Juan Mutudza, with box-to-box midfielder Brian “BB” Banda providing the balance.
Banda has been a consistent performer for the platinum miners in recent seasons, but he has been overlooked by the selectors.
“Banda has been good and I think his talent has been overlooked by the media because he somehow lacks charisma, but he’s one of the top players,” reckons Trust Jim, a staunch PSL football follower from Bulawayo.
“The season started off well and you could see the excitement and the level of competition in the opening games where you had champions Ngezi Platinum Stars, Manica Diamonds, Simba Bhora, FC Platinum and Highlanders in the title matrix.
“The fact that we are seeing a tight race for the top goal scorer award is testament to an exciting season.
“Billiat has shown what a quality player he is, Jalai has been impressive and consistent for me and of late we are enjoying the contribution made by Valentine Kadonzvo.
“Junior Bunjira of CAPS United has been a good find for them and I think Mthokozisi Msebe of Simba Bhora has done well.
“Chikuhwa of Highlanders has also been a consistent performer, but I feel sorry for Andrew Mbeba because he is one of the players who were a vital cog for Highlanders, but midway he lost his way.”
The Simba Bhora duo of Blessing “Bisto” Moyo and Webster Tafa has been mentioned in many circles.
Mckinnon Mushore of Highlanders and Chicken Inn goalie Donovan Bernard have a realistic chance of making it on the calendar.
Bernard has 18 clean sheets, the most by any keeper in the league, and is the hot favourite to win the Goalkeeper of the Year award.
His closest rival is Nelson Chadya of Ngezi, who has 16 clean sheets.
Former Black Rhinos and national team keeper Ephraim Mazarura was impressed by CAPS United defender Godknows Murwira, although he is worried with the declining standards of the top-flight league.
“This young boy from Yadah, Ndereki, also caught my eye, and so did Kingsley Mureremba and Junior Bunjira of CAPS United.
“Dynamos’ vice captain Jalai is a sure bet,” said Mazarura, who was part of the Warriors squad at the 2004 African Cup of Nations finals.
“In terms of quality, I think Division One games were more entertaining than the PSL.”
Mazarura now runs Royal Oak Academy in Harare.
Manicaland-based veteran football writer Ray Bande watched Manica Diamonds’ home games at Sakubva and is convinced left back Farai Banda deserves a place on the calendar.
“The Gem Boys had a fair season, which, however, was marred by periods of inconsistency. “One of the major contributors to their fine run is no doubt Farai Banda. Nicknamed General, the overlapping Banda was vital for Manica Diamonds both in defence and attack, no wonder he earned a national team call up,” says Bande.
Online Reporter