Thabo Senong has urged South African players to consider opportunities in the Zimbabwean PSL, dismissing claims that footballers are poorly treated across the border and calling the competition one of the region’s fastest-growing leagues.
Senong is settling into life in Zimbabwe’s PSL at FC Platinum, working alongside former Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana midfielder Reneilwe Letsholonyane.
Despite a delayed start to their official duties, the duo have made an immediate impact with a 100% record, winning both matches they have presided over.
They beat Agama FC 1-0 in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League fixture, before defeating Blackrock FC 2-0 in a Munhumutapa Challenge Cup Round of 16 match on Saturday.
They face Scottland FC on Wednesday in a midweek encounter. The fixture has been brought forward to allow the reigning Zimbabwe champions to shift focus to their CAF Champions League first preliminary round tie against Nsingizini Hotspurs of Eswatini at the National Sports Stadium in Harare on Sunday.
‘THE ZIMBABWE LEAGUE IS AN INTERESTING PRODUCT’ – CLAIMS THABO SENONG
As he settles in, Senong believes more South Africans should follow his lead and says the league’s growth is built on player welfare.
“For sure, the league is becoming a very good and interesting product. If you look at how clubs are taking care of players, that tells you a lot because the game belongs to the players,” Senong told FARPost. “If we, as the leadership, as football administrators and the technical teams, take care of players, then it will attract players from everywhere.
“You look at the West Africans that are already coming in, the neighbouring countries around Zimbabwe, Malawi, and you have Eswatini players here as well.
“So I, for sure, have no doubt that soon even some South African players will be coming into the league because the league is becoming a very nice product.”
‘CLUBS ARE LOOKING AFTER PLAYERS PROPERLY’: SENONG ON ZIMBABWE’S GROWING APPEAL
Senong added: “I would urge players to open themselves up to opportunities outside the borders. If you get a chance to come to Zimbabwe, take it. The narrative that players are not taken care of here is changing. Clubs are now looking after players properly and the league is becoming a very good product.”
In recent years, a number of former Betway Premiership stars have returned home following improved salaries and competition in the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League. Knowledge Musona, Washington Arubi and Terrence Dzvukamanja are among them.
At the same time, Zimbabwe’s league is also attracting regional talent. A significant number of players from Eswatini and Namibia have made their way into the PSL.
Nsingizini Hotspurs products Yekisizwe Khumalo, Thubelihle Mavuso, Neliswa Dlamini and Sambulo Simelane are already in Zimbabwe. Several players from Malawi have also joined the league, while Botswana national team goalkeeper Victor James has signed for CAPS United.
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