Impressive performances by some Zimbabwean players in ABSA Premiership last season has led to a huge demand with South African clubs literally stepping over each other as they look to bolster their squads with Zimbabwean signings ahead of what promises to be another grueling football season.
Such an influx of foreign football players and coaches into the country however has not gone down well with some South African football analysts and former players, who strongly feel that this development is retrogressive to the development of football in the country.
A snap survey by The Zimbabwean on Sunday revealed that at least 15 local players and two coaches will be part of the 2010/11 ABSA Premiership by far outnumbering the number of foreign nationals from any other country turning out in the South African league.
And the number of Zimbabweans playing in the South African topflight league might increase as there are other local players currently undergoing trials with various clubs ahead of the new season, which kicks off next month.
Former league champions Mamelodi Sundwons, snapped three players from Harare-based side CAPS United to bring to four the number of Zimbabwean players within their ranks the same number as bitter rivals Kaizer Chiefs.
Sundowns recently snapped up Nyasha Mushekwi, Lionel Mtizwa and Method Mwanjali, who will link up with the clubs skipper Esrom Nyandoro.
Kaizer Chiefs who will be without Tinashe Nengomasha this season still have the Zimbabwean trio of Zhaimu Jambo, Knowledge Musona and Thomas Svesve within their ranks.
Free State Stars, now coached by former Warriors coach Sunday Chidzambwa, have the Zimbabwean duo of striker Kingston Nkhata and defender James Matola on their payroll.
Other Zimbabweans already plying their trade in the ABSA Premiership are Energy Murambadoro, Evans Chikwaikwai (Bidvest Wits), Tapuwa Kapini (Platinum Stars), Zvenyika Makonese, Gilbert Mushangazhike (Orlando Pirates) and William Mugeyi (assistant coach at Ajax Cape Town).
In comparison, foreign players from countries such as Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique or the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are fewer than their Zimbabwean counterparts in number and are barely recognisable.
Post published in: Football