THAT time of the year has arrived once again when sports writers, believed to have been watching football throughout the 2013 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) season and other stakeholders, converge in the capital to determine which players would grace the league sponsors’ calendar next year after outshining others in the season.
FORTUNE MBELE/ SUKOLUHLE MTHETHWA
Those on the panel will also cast their ballots for the rookie of the year and the coach of the year when they meet in Harare next Saturday.
The exercise usually brings about confrontations between sports writers in the country albeit voting being done secretly. One wonders where the bickering stems from, but be that as it may, Southern Eye Sport takes a look at some of the players deemed to have performed extremely well in the season from club to club. Highlanders
Bosso goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya, took over the number one jersey from Ariel Sibanda in the season and has executed himself well for the log leaders, eyeing a double this season. He capped his fine season with a brilliant moment last week when he shot the Bulawayo giants into the final of the Mbada Diamonds Cup with two penalties, the first an equaliser in regulation time and the winner in the shoot-out against Harare City at Mandava Stadium. Consistent left-back Bruce Kangwa could have made it into the calendar, but was hard done by six yellow cards. Dynamos
Goalkeeper George Chigova could be in line to challenge Diya, but played fewer games than the Bosso goalkeeper and the proportional statistics could play against the gangly shot-stopper. Defender Partson Jaure had also been touted to make it, but his lunge at referee Thabani Bhamala in the game against Highlanders puts him out of favour as well as Ocean Mushure who also has earned himself six yellow cards. That leaves skipper Tawanda Muparati, as the only DeMbare player likely to make it into the final 11 this year. Harare City
Midfielder Silas Songani is the man who has been outstanding for the Sunshine City Boys. From the blue, Songani caught the attention of former Warriors gaffer German national Dieter-Klaus Pagels and City’s play has been revolving around the midfielder who is a dead ball specialist. Leading scorer Osborne Mukuradare fizzled out along the way. FC Platinum
At the Zvishavane-based club, two senior players have been of note this season – Warriors striker Charles Sibanda and Thabani Kamusoko. The two have done well for the Lloyd Mutasa-coached side this season and stand a chance of gracing the 2013 calendar.
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Warriors striker Tendai Ndoro and midfielder Kudakwashe Mahachi are the favourites from the Innscor-sponsored outfit to make it to the calendar. Ndoro looks set to walk away with the Golden Boot award having already bagged 17 goals with two matches to go before the 2013 PSL season ends. Mahachi seems to have carried on with the form that saw him win the rookie of the year award last season as he has also impressed this season. How Mine
Former Highlanders and FC Platinum midfielder Menard Mupera could make it to this year’s top players. He has shown a lot of commitment, his experience seems to be paying off as he has been influential in the team’s maiden appearance in the PSL. He shone in the Mbada semi-final tie against Caps United as he let fly a 40m drive that beat Caps United goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube in what was described as the outstanding shot for the goal of the tournament.
Hwange
With Hwange, being inconsistent this season, Eric Chipeta the Hwange defender stands a chance. He has had a good season and was unknown until he was called up to the national team by former Warriors coach Pagels. Triangle
Pascal Manhanga is the player from the lowveld-based side who stands a chance to be selected as one of the best 11. Buffaloes
Stephen Sibanda has been one player to look out for in the Mutare-based side as he has had a good season. He has also scored crucial goals for his side.
