Zimbabwe’s 2024 PSL season is just a hair’s breadth away, and it comes with chances for young players to impress and break into the DStv Premiership.
At the moment, there are a host of talented, youthful players who will likely make a splash this season.
The Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season is pencilled to kick off on Saturday, 9 March. Here, FARPost reveals the highly rated five youngsters that PSL clubs must watch in Zimbabwe.
THE FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH IN ZIMBABWE’S PSL
Junior Makunike [Simba Bhora FC]
Highly-rated midfielder Junior Makunike is one of the shining prospects in the Zimbabwean league. Makunike is in the books of Simba Bhora, who will be in their second season in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.
The talented defensive link was in the form of his life during the year 2023, making 29 appearances for giants Dynamos.
At the age of 19-year-old, Makunike formed the backbone of the club’s midfield trio that included Soccer Star of the Year finalists Donald Mudadi and Tanaka Shandirwa.
He helped Dynamos win the 2023 Chibuku Super Cup title. The cup title comes with an automatic ticket to play in the CAF Confederations Cup.
Shockingly, he snubbed a contract renewal with Dynamos despite the perceived power of continental inter-club football. He joined Simba Bhora in January.
Elton Chikona [Dynamos FC]
The 2023 Most Promising Player of the Year, Elton Chikona, is one of the players to watch this season. The teenage striker scored one of the goals as Dynamos won the Chibuku Super Cup.
His performances were so impressive that he was also voted the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League’s Most Promising Player.
Chikona was the joint top scorer for Dynamos with five league goals from 13 matches while he also managed three assists in his debut season for the club.
In addition, the 18-year-old became the mainstay in the strike force for the most successful club in the country.
What made it more special for Chikona is the fact that he scored in the Chibuku Super final to help Dynamos lift their first major trophy in nine years. He will hope to maintain the rich vein of form when Zimbabwe’s 2024 PSL season begins.
THE 2023 GOLDEN BOOT WINNER IS ONE PLAYER OF INTEREST IN ZIMBABWE’S 2024 PSL SEASON
Takunda Benhura [Ngezi Platinum Stars]
Undoubtedly, Takunda Benhura is easily the most valuable young player in the Zimbabwean league. Benhura won the 2023 Golden Boot in his debut season, his first individual accolade in domestic top-flight football.
Benhura was promoted from the Ngezi Platinum Stars developmental side at the end of 2022. And he won the individual prize after notching 13 goals, one ahead of biggest rival Obriel Chirinda who was with Bulawayo Chiefs.
Benhura, a product of the Ngezi Platinum Stars development, has risen to prominence in a short period of time.
This season is another opportunity for him to cement his position as one of the best strikers in the land. He is, without a doubt, one of the players who could easily break into the DStv Premiership.
FOLLOWING FORMER DStv PREMIERSHIP STAR AND FATHER’S FOOTSTEPS
Junior Bunjira [Caps United]
Junior Bunjira, son of former Mamelodi Sundowns and Bidvest Wits forward Alois Bunjira, is one of the players to watch.
The 20-year-old winger will likely attract a lot of attention, considering his father’s profile. He is among the new signings unveiled by Caps United in the early this month.
“I have to work non-stop to fill those shoes. There are big shoes to fill that much I know and have been told countless times since I was young. However, I am confident that I can do it,” he said.
Last season, Bunjira was in the books of ZIFA Northern Region Division One side, Golden Eagles
Tinashe Mashaireni [Ngezi Platinum Stars]
Ngezi Platinum Stars’ new recruit, Tinashe Mashaireni, completes the list of the finest prospects in the league this season.
The attacking midfielder made his debut on Saturday when Ngezi Platinum Stars beat Dynamos 2-0 in the Castle Challenge Cup.
Coach Takesure 7Chiragwi threw the 19-year-old into the fray along with two other new players, Richard Hachiro and Talent Chamboko. And he didn’t disappoint.
Mashaireni was promoted from the Ngezi Platinum development team. He will partner with Hachiro and Leslie Kashitigu in midfield. Moreso, he won his first medal on his debut.
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