Story by Lawrence Trusida
Premier Soccer League champions Simba Bhora have made history after becoming the first team to provide five players on the Soccer Stars list after a selection process conducted this Wednesday.
This is unprecedented as no other team had managed to reach that level, with Highlanders and Chicken Inn jointly holding the record of providing four players apiece.
In 2012, Bosso had four players the year they finished as runner up to Dynamos, contributing goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda, defender Innocent Mapuranga together with midfielders Masimba Mambare and Mthulisi Maphosa.
In 2015, champions Chicken Inn provided defender Danny Phiri, goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze, striker Edmore Chirambadare and mercurial midfielder Clemence Matawu.
In recent times, three has been the ceiling as in 2017 Ngezi Platinum Stars had the trio of striker Terrence Dzukamanja, utility Qadr Amini and midfielder Tichaona Mabvura.
In 2016, CAPS United provided three players Hardlife Zvirekwi who was later named Soccer Star, striker Leonard Tsipa and defender Ronald Pfumbudzai.
The same year, FC Platinum had three players on the calendar – goalkeeper Petros Mhari, midfielder Winston Mango and forward Walter Musona.
However, this year, Simba have gone to another level, providing five, Captain Walter Musona who is a front runner to be named Soccer Star of the Year and striker Tymon Muchope who chipped in with 10 goals and 13 assists.
Their entire back three makes it onto the calendar -Webster Tafa who played all the 34 games this season, defensive pillar Blessing Moyo as well as probably the find of the season 21 year old Isheanesu Mauchi completing the five.
PSL top goal-scorer Lynoth Chikuhwa of Highlanders makes it onto the calendar, so does goalkeeper Donavan Bernard who has the cleanest sheets this season.
Evergreen CAPS United midfield Kinglesy Mureremba is part of the 11, so is his club captain and defender Godknows Murwira.
Khama Billiat of Yadah who can compete for the Comeback of the Year is part of the cast, so is Emmanuel Jalai of Dynamos who finally makes the cut.
While the selected 11 will be celebrating, some will be mourning after missing out.
Young midfielder Blessed Ndereki of Yadah who had a great season will be questioning how the media, coaches and fellow players omitted his name.
Rock solid Boid Mutukure of ZPC Kariba will also have the same question after a wonderful season at the heart of the defence for his club that let in just 17 goals this season, the fewest in the league.
McKinnon Mushore of Highlanders, Manica Diamond’s Farai Banda, Juan Mutudza and Brian Banda of FC Platinum are some of the players who are unlucky not to be selected as part of the best 11 in the land.
The Soccer Star of the Year will be named on the 6th of December together with his two runner up as well as the young player and coach of the year.
