The Sunday Mail
ON Friday, a panel of 86 judges that includes coaches, captains of football clubs in the elite league and football writers will select the finest eleven players of the 2021/2022 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season.
The PSL has since confirmed that 50 football writers from various local media outlets, 18 PSL coaches and their captains will take part in the selection process, which will be done online for the second year in a row.
Previous selections have been blighted by controversy, with some panellists accused of voting on regional lines.
But, this year’s contest for the Soccer Star of the Year award looks like a clear race between Golden Boot winner William Manondo and Walter Musona, whose 14 goals helped FC Platinum to their fourth straight title.
Manondo scored 17 goals for CAPS United, who struggled financially throughout the season, and, in some instances, almost failing to fulfil fixtures.
Debate on who should be on the soccer stars’ calendar is raging on both social media and in the streets.
Most fans think either Musona or Manondo will succeed Joel “Josta” Ngodzo, who won the top gong with CAPS United in 2019.
Timukudze Nhongo, a staunch Dynamos supporter, thinks the quartet of Musona, Manondo, goalie Nelson Chadya of Ngezi Platinum Stars and Frank Makarati of Dynamos should “definitely” be on the calendar.
“For me, Chadya did well for Ngezi. He has the most number of clean sheets,” Nhongo told The Sunday Mail Online.
“You look at Makarati, he was at the heart of Dynamos’ defence which conceded the second-least number of goals (17) behind champions FC Platinum (14).
“Musona carried FC Platinum on his shoulders, while Manondo scored the most goals and yet he was playing for a CAPS United that was always demoralised due to financial constraints.
“So, they should definitely be on the calendar,” said Nhongo.
Popular CAPS United fan, Francis “Captain Franco” Kaowa, has been convinced by Musona, and thinks the Aces Academy product deserves the top gong.
“Chadya and Manondo should also be in the top three,” he said.
“DeMbare’s Makarati did well, but I think Taimon Mvula fizzled out of the race along the way.
“When the season was midway, I personally tipped Mvula to be among the best, but suddenly the likes of Chadya and Donovan Bernard emerged,” said the Highfield-based football fan.
Chitungwiza-based fan, Tafadzwa Dahwa, has Triangle’s Donald Ngoma, the FC Platinum duo of Gift Bello and Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya among his finest eleven of the season.
Dahwa, who rarely misses CAPS United matches either home or away, also tips Chicken Inn’s Brian Muza, Devine Mhindirira (Highlanders) and Prince Chama of Herentals to be among the best eleven.
Muza scored 11 goals for the Gamecocks after starting the season on a blaze before stuttering late on in the season.
“Obviously, Musona is the red-hot favourite for the Soccer Star of the Year award, while Manondo and Makarati should be in the top three.
“The likes of Brett Amidu (Chicken Inn) and Chadya should also be considered for a place on the calendar,” said Dahwa.
Luckmore Mbirinyu of Mabvuku is one of the numerous fans who think the Soccer Star of the Year award is a two-horse race between Musona and Manondo.
“Makarati of Dynamos also played well to deserve a place, not only on the calendar, but amongst the top three,” said Mbirinyu.
Tine Chari of Seke says it will be a huge surprise if Musona is not selected Soccer Star of the Year.
“Yes, Manondo scored more goals, but Musona’s goals were critical in FC Platinum’s march towards a record-equalling fourth consecutive league title,” said Chari.
