The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
TWO decades ago, George Owusu was probably the only West African footballer plying his trade in the domestic Premiership, with the Ghanaian even featuring for Dynamos in the 1998 Champions League final
Since then, Malawi and Zambia have been the major suppliers of expatriate talent to the Premier Soccer League.
Derby Mankinka (late), Francis Kasanda, Sandros Kumwenda, Charles Chilufya, Kelvin Kaindu, Mulenga Chewe, Hadj Tambala, Clive Mwale, Joseph Kamwendo, Ian Bakala, Laughter Chilembe and Gerald Phiri, are some of players from both Malawi and Zambia to have graced the Premiership since its inception in 1993.
The trend is changing.
On its Silver Jubilee, the Premier Soccer League has witnessed an influx of players from West Africa with one of them Christian Joel Epoupa Ntouba making it onto the 2017 Soccer Stars calendar.
The Dynamos striker from Cameroon headlined a cast of players from West Africa who were lured by the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.
Long before Epoupa came to these shores, ZPC Kariba already had Ghanaian centre-back Stephen Appiah who has fallen in love with the resort town as evidenced by most of his Facebook posts.
Caps United brought their own “Igwe” in the form of Nigerian striker Abrasim “Chidi” Chidiebere who signed for Makepekepe in June, around the same time they also snapped up Richard Addai from Ghana.
The Green Machine are also hosting several Ghanaians whom they intend to sign ahead of the 2018 Premiership while newly crowned champions FC Platinum are assessing 19-year-old Cameroonian striker Albert Eonde and Ibrahima Dauda from Ghana.
So, what has triggered this new development?
Local football analysts believe Zimbabwe’s proximity to South Africa, which can provide an easier gateway to Europe, is luring the West African players to Southern Africa.
“It’s now difficult for West African players to break straight into Europe like they used to previously because of the increased competition.
“So, they are trying other routes which will eventually take them to Europe and South Africa via Zimbabwe is one of them,” said an analyst.
The man who brought DeMbare’s Epoupa to Zimbabwe, Gilbert Sengwe, says the improved standards of the local game and the Warriors’ qualification for the 2017 Afcon finals have played a part in attracting expatriate players.
“The players themselves tell me they believe Zimbabwean football is on the up. Before, very few players from that region came to this country but now we are having more of them.
“It shows Zimbabwean soccer has vastly improved,” said Sengwe. Renowned local agent Gibson Mahachi attributes the globalization of football to the current trend.
“Football has become more globalised now, and that is why you now have our own players like Ronald Chitiyo and Abbas Amidu breaking new ground by moving to Tunisia and Egypt,” said Mahachi.
“What matters most is quality because these West African players have to be better than the locals if they are to add any value to the league.
“However, the coming of West African players is good for our league in terms of marketing and competitiveness.”
Do the West Africans add any value? Newly appointed Warriors substantive coach Sunday “Mhofu” Chidzambwa reckons the development is good for Zimbabwean football.
“If you look at Epoupa, he is a very good striker who knows how to position himself in the box and I am sure a lot of youngsters can learn from him.
“Epoupa’s style of play also keeps our local defenders switched on, he offers defenders the kind of challenge that can also improve their play,” said Chidzambwa who worked with Ghanaian defender Appiah at ZPC Kariba.
Dynamos coach Lloyd Mutasa was struck by Epoupa’s work ethic and is convinced the arrival of more West Africans will give the league a better dimension.
“They (West Africans) enjoy doing extra training and they give our local league reason to believe we are now a competitive league.
“These players will also enhance the quality of play and in turn lure the corporate world into football,” said Mutasa. So, it seems Zimbabwe could soon become the destination of choice for the powerful and skilful West African players.
