Coaches hail selection

PREMIER Soccer League coaches have endorsed the 11 football stars selected as the best in the just-ended Premiership campaign decided on the final day when FC Platinum were crowned champions in an historic triumph.

Last season’s champions CAPS United surrendered the crown to FC Platinum bringing to an end over half-a-century of domination by clubs housed in the country’s two biggest cities — Harare and Bulawayo. Ngezi Platinum Stars coach Tonderai Ndiraya said it was good to see his players being rewarded after a fine campaign.

“We were very consistent as a team till the end of the season and those who have been included, I think, we deserve to be among the best,’’ said Ndiraya.

“The fact that we contributed many players on the calendar shows that we have been doing very well the whole season and I am happy for that.

“I think contributing the highest number of players on the calendar will atone for the pain of losing the title.

“Other players who are also part of the list from other teams, I think, also deserve to be there, it was a tight race and most of the guys did very well.”

There was no room for a goalkeeper on the final list, which rarely happens, even though some felt the duo of Wallace Magalane and Elvis Chipezeze did well this season. Championship-winning coach Norman Mapeza said he did not have problems with those on the final list but felt that someone was supposed to make way for a goalkeeper.

“The majority of those guys did well. Everything went well but like everybody else I was surprised that there was no goalkeeper on the list.

“But the popular voice has spoken and I think the majority of those guys deserve to be there,” said Mapeza.

CAPS United coach Lloyd Chitembwe also hailed the selection.

“I thought the process was very credible. In my view all those players are deserving winners and contenders of the Soccer Star of the Year,” said Chitembwe.