adminRicky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
FOOTBALL legend Moses Chunga has challenged the Castle Lager Soccer Stars of the Year panel of experts to push for changes in the selection criteria by removing the six yellow cards clause. Chunga said most deserving players missed out because of the yellow cards rule. Speaking on the sidelines of the Soccer Stars of the Year awards banquet in Harare last Friday, Chunga said football is a contact sport and selectors must relax the six yellow cards and two red cards rule to reward the best players.
“I’m not criticising but I’m just saying let’s separate the yellow cards or red cards matter from indiscipline. Six yellow cards are a small number for defenders and midfielders, who are obligated to break play,” said Chunga.
“Clever strikers fool referees and defenders get yellow cards which they don’t deserve. Because defenders and midfielders understand that their roles include stopping opponents, they’re bound to get booked.
“I’m yet to hear of world class players missing out on top gongs because of yellow cards that they might have picked. Footballers are rewarded for their performances and not being clean on the field of play. Players have to be free when playing and avoid concentrating on missing out on selection because of these harsh rules,” he said.
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions Chicken Inn had to leave out their captain Danny “Deco” Phiri and the club’s leading marksman Edmore Chirambadare for their last game against Flame Lily to protect them against picking up cards that would have ruled them out of contention.
The two players went into the last game of the season with five yellow cards each.
Phiri, who previously had been ruled out of selection because of picking at least six yellow cards, was crowned the 2015 Soccer Star of the Year while Chirambadare made it into the top 11 players’ list.
Chirambadare’s 11 goals were three behind the league’s top scorer Knox Mutizwa of Highlanders. Mutizwa was voted the second runner-up behind Ocean Mushure of Dynamos.
Chicken Inn were the biggest winners as their gaffer Joey Antipas was voted Coach of the Year and shot stopper Elvis Chipezeze took the Goalkeeper of the Year accolade.
Chicken Inn chairman Lifa Ncube said they were happy that their efforts were recognised.
“To have our players getting awards and the coach also winning shows that our contribution to the game is being recognised. As a club we’re happy to have contributed four players into the top 11. Even our players that didn’t make it into the top list deserve recognition because they did a splendid job. Hopefully we’ll continue giving Zimbabwe the best players and now our target is to represent the country with dignity in the Caf Champions League,” said Ncube.
Online Reporter