Premier Soccer League, Northern Region Soccer League go digital on player assessments

Sports Reporter

A game-changing initiative is looming in both the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and Northern Region Soccer League (NRSL) following the introduction of an electronic system of assessing players and team performances.

Local football has been lagging behind most top leagues across the globe, including in neighbouring countries such as South Africa, Mozambique and Zambia, who can easily provide a player or team’s statistics and video footage.

However, the country’s elite league and the second-tier NRSL have reportedly embraced the technology used by Irish firm SmrtStats and their Austrian partners PlayerHunter through their local representatives.

SmrtStats have chosen Legends Football Academy director Farai Dhliwayo as their country representative.

“As you are aware, Zimbabwe football leagues do not have accurately correlated and corroborated statistics at team and player level. Without these statistics, our leagues are unable to register on platforms such as Transfermarkt and our players remain invisible to international clubs,’’ SmrtStats said.

“Such statistics are used to improve team performance by coaches at club level and, more importantly, to realise value through the transfer of your greatest assets — your players.

“SmrtStats and PlayerHunter are offering progressive football clubs in Zimbabwe the opportunity to professionalise their clubs through gathering of statistical analysis and providing exposure for their players to be seen by international clubs, agents and markets.”

A PSL official, speaking on the sidelines of an induction workshop in Bulawayo yesterday, welcomed the initiative, which he hopes will ensure more visibility of local-based players on the international transfer market.

“I would say, firstly, we are now in a digital era, hence the need to move with the times,’’ the official said on condition of anonymity.

“Modern football is now based on statistics, and player profiles are uploaded for possible suitors to download and review.

“Player stats help put a value on players and track how the player is performing in terms of speed, skill, passing, crossing, tackles, etc.

“It also helps identifying player strengths and weaknesses.”

NSRL executive member Sweeney Mushonga said the technology could have a huge impact for Division One clubs that are looking to export their players directly without waiting on them to first secure a Premiership stint to be noticed.

“The league is excited to announce that it has engaged the services of SmrtStats and PlayerHunter for player and clubs’ statistics and scouting solutions, respectively, through their local agents.

“This is designed to improve team and player performance, with a view to improve quality of play within the league,’’ Mushonga said.

“It is common cause that our games are losing their appeal and every effort must be put in to do the needful and improve the quality of play and draw back the crowds.

“Further to that, the analysis will improve the players and enhance their chances to move to better leagues, and this will go a long way in improving our national team and the general welfare of players themselves.”

Dhliwayo said the use of the technology would make local players visible on the international market.

“Modern football has moved to science and technology, and performance is measured through analytics,” he said.

“Without our players having analytics and profile videos, it is impossible to determine valuations and for them to be seen at the click of a button by an international club . . . ”