The Sunday Mail
THE Castle Premier Soccer League has released the names of journalists who will take part in this year’s Soccer Stars of the Year selection process.
The 30 scribes will be joined, in the capital, by the 16 PSL coaches and captains at next Saturday’s selection indaba where voting will be done electronically.
Convener of selectors, Steve Vickers, said rules governing eligibility of players are unchanged from last season.
Players who have accumulated six or more yellow cards, two or more red cards and those found guilty by the PSL disciplinary committee or court of law are automatically disqualified.
“There are no changes with regards to eligibility from what was the case last season. The issue to do with yellow cards and red cards and being found guilty by the disciplinary committee is still the same.
“The only change in the selection process is that this time voting would be done electronically,” said Vickers.
The upholding of last season’s rules means that one of the season’s best performers, Pride Tafirenyika of ZPC Kariba, is out of reckoning having picked up six yellow cards.
Tafirenyika , who has been in irresistible form and is one of the reasons why ZPC Kariba are at the summit of the standings with just one round of fixtures to go, feels hard done.
“The coach (Saul Chaminuka) has previously complained about some of the yellow cards I was shown and I am sure everyone can attest that not all of them were justified.
“I am, however, still hopeful that the authorities will look into that issue and allow me to be considered. But if I don’t get a reprieve it will be a very bitter pill to swallow because this season I believe I had given it my best and deserved recognition,” said Tafirenyika.
Also ineligible is Caps United utility man, Hardlife Zirekwi, who was fined for his infamous urine splashing incident during his side’s league clash with Buffaloes at Gwanzura early in the season.
Just as was the case last year when Dynamos’ Tawanda Muparati was crowned king, there really has been no shining star on the domestic scene and the panel of selectors is likely to have a tough time in coming up with the best 11.
The selectors will also vote for the Coach of the Year with ZPC Kariba’s Saul Chaminuka and Dynamos’ Kallisto Pasuwa appearing to be in a two-man race to succeed Bigboy Mawiwi, who won it as Harare City coach last season.
The Under-20 Player of the Year and Referee of the Year will also be voted for at the same event.
Journalists’ panel:
The Sunday Mail — Ishemunyoro Chingwere and Langton Nyakwenda;
The Herald — Grace Chingoma, Augustine Hwata and Edison Chikamhi;
H-Metro — Mugove Chigada and Chipo Sabeta;
The Sunday News — Mehluli Sibanda and Nqwele Dube;
Star FM — Howard Musonza and Muziwethu Hadebe;
The Manica Post — Ray Bande; The Chronicle — Ricky Zililo and Sikhumbuzo Moyo;
B-Metro — Fungai Muderere; The Standard — Brian Nkiwane;
The Zimbabwe Mail — Don Makanyanga and Grace Chirumhanzu;
NewsDay — Henry Mhara and Tawanda Tafirenyika;
ZBC — Merit Munzwembiri, Ian Zvoma and Collin Nikisi; Gemazo — Tatenda Makanda;
Zifm Stereo — Alois Bunjira; The Patriot — Alvin Madzivanzira;
Southern Eye — Fortune Mbele and Sokuluhle Mtetwa;
Daily News — Blessing Mashaya and Godknows Matarutse.
