adminYesteryear Greats, Lovemore Dube
GONE are the days when football fans would hold their breath ahead of the announcement of the Soccer Star of the Year winner.
In those good soccer days, the outstanding players literally separated themselves from the rest of the players. They were head and shoulders above the rest with telling performances that would have seen their clubs survive relegation, teams win cup competitions or the league.
There were those years when the calls were very close and the football fans were left to say it could have any of the four players’ turn.
In a few days’ time the country’s football gurus will converge on Harare to make their choices of the most outstanding players.
In the past the programme had the BAT Rosebowl, Independence Cup, Chibuku Trophy, Castrol Heroes Shield, Rothmans Shield, inter-provincial championships, Rhodesia A and B, players had so many platforms to prove their worth.
The effervescent effect of tournaments was able to brand stars.
It built the resumes of many a coach so that by the time the selection date arrived, fans would be itching to lay their ears on the radio for the announcement.
Then there would be that impatient wait for the Castle Lager calendar, a must-have at homes’ walls.
A school of thought is that the players then were too talented. Fingers have also been pointed at selectors of these times that they are enmeshed in agents’ pockets. How many times have we had a player flying out soon after being crowned among the top three only for the footballer to turn out to be a monumental flop abroad.
Strangely some of the Soccer Star of the Year finalists who attract a national appeal do not find their way to the national team.
When you had Japhet Mparutsa, Mercedes Sibanda, Oliver Kateya, Ephraim Chawanda, Alexander Maseko, Max Makanza, Willard Khumalo, Rahman Gumbo, Madinda Ndlovu, Moses Chunga, Boy Ndlovu, Alexander Maseko, Joseph Zulu and Francis Shonhayi they were without doubt national team material. Merit was a pre-requisite and professionalism the password to anyone on the panel and football was the winner.
The sponsor also got good mileage when the Soccer Stars dominated national teams.
Is there a problem with the selection of Stars or the problem is with national coaches being under the control of player managers who want their own dominating Warriors?
George Shaya was voted Soccer Star of the Year on five occasions, Joseph Zulu almost 10 times on the calendar. It is consistency that carried them along.
Looking at the profile of George Rollo, Rambo, Chawanda, Shaya, Agent Sawu, Wilfred Mugeyi, Peter Ndlovu, Japhet Mparutsa, Stanley Ndunduma and Ephert Lungu, one would not doubt their pedigree.
A few players shone this season and it will not be a surprise for Caps United, Highlanders and FC Platinum dominated the scene. It would be disservice to the game if the most outstanding player came from outside these three though the ingenuity of Clemence Matawu was factor for Chicken Inn.
The veteran midfielder and Leonard Tsipa showed there was no substitute for experience.
Selectors are left with a challenge to restore the past pride of the award when there would be a scramble for the calendar.
Online Reporter