By Anesu Chakanetsa

ZIMBABWE Premier Soccer League (PSL) teams continue to ‘lose’ talented players to African destinations and beyond.
But the rate at which talented players have been moving to neighbouring South Africa in the past 15 years is rather disturbing for the simple reason that some of the moves are not career-enhancing.
Interestingly, East Africa has joined the host of nations impressed by Zimbabwean soccer talent.
Movement on the part of players is influenced more by monetary benefits rather than talent-development.
South Africa has become the biggest consumer of our local talent.
Players opt to move down south to better salaried teams, while clubs are benefiting by selling those players.
For instance, Dynamos sold George Chigova for US$80 000, a figure four times the amount which Highlanders and Harare City shared during last weekend’s Zimbabwe National Army Charity Shield.
Highlanders got US$12 000 while Harare City received US$8 000.
While the average pay for Zimbabwean PSL soccer players is US$700, Zimbabwe players in South Africa receive a minimum amount ranging from US$1 000.
But overwhelming evidence shows these moves have not really benefitted the players.
Some have returned home with little to show for their sojourn.
The movement of players has also resulted in local teams failing to effectively compete in regional and continental tournaments.
For example, Energy Murambadoro, former CAPS United player who scooped Soccer Star of the Year award in 2005, left the club and joined Hellenic of South Africa.
And in the next two seasons other promising players like Raymond Undi, Brian Badza, Limited Chikafa, Ashley Rambanepasi (then Muza) and Cephas Chimedza left CAPS United to join international and regional clubs.
They had won two consecutive Premier Soccer League titles in 2004 and 2005.
CAPS United fans will forever cherish these two seasons, where they paid to watch quality football.
This scenario was also repeated when Highlanders won the 2006 title.
Ralph Mathema, who netted 19 goals during the league, left the club to join Orlando Pirates.
But his striking abilities failed to impress there.
Other players who left Highlanders in the seasons that followed were, Honour Gombami, Gift Lunga, Richard Choruma, Johannes Ngodzo, Bhekithemba Ndlovhu and the daring Tapuwa Kapini.
Most of them went abroad to receive better salaries.
Most of these players have been forgotten since they moved to these clubs.
This routine continues to be followed up to this date.
The recent mid-season break has seen most Zimbabwe PSL stars joining South African and Tanzanian Clubs.
Augustine Mbara and Blessing Moyo have already been unveiled to South Africa’s newly promoted Highlands Park while Warriors and Dynamos first choice, Tatenda Mukuruva, is being courted out by Free State Stars.
Walter Musona, Bruce Kangwa and Method Mwanjali could also be bidding farewell to local football as they are in talks with Tanzanian club Young Africans.
Bruce Kangwa is already touring the changing rooms there.
Justice Majabvi’s move to Simba Club IN 2015 seems to have paved way for this exodus to Tanzanian shores.
Thabani Kamusoko and Donald Ngoma were signed last year by the Tanzanian giants, Young Africans.
While it is appreciated that these players are scooped for their brilliance the unfortunate part is that their lustre never lasts long it is diminished.
Denver Mukamba, who became Zimbabwe PSL Soccer Star of the Year in 2012, joined Bidvest in South Africa but failed to find the magic that made him a force to reckon with.
During mid-season break in 2006, Evans Gwekwerere moved to South Africa’s Moroka Swallows and all that was ever remembered of him was the move.
The South African PSL is tougher, especially on young Zimbabweans, says Thomas Sweswe, former Dynamos, Kaizer Chiefs and Bidvest Vits defender.
“The South African league is more competitive and tougher than the Zimbabwean league because it’s competition for money,” says Sweswe.
“That’s why you find most players in Zimbabwe are fighting to go there.” Sweswe came back to Zimbabwe’s PSL after he got injured.
“I’m still in the game, it’s only that I picked up a number of injuries in South Africa,” says Sweswe.
Sweswe is currently playing for ZPC Kariba.
Will the 2016 Tanzania and South Africa-bound Zimbabwe talent become brilliant players?
Most of these players lose football focus when they join these highly financed clubs, said renowned soccer commentator and analyst Charles Mabika.
“Most of these players don’t work hard enough, they develop an ego and get enveloped in South Africa’s highly fancied night life,” says Mabika.
“We only have few players who work hard here in Zimbabwe and abroad, who remain focused,” he said.
Notable players in neighbouring South Africa who have continued to receive call-ups from national team coach Callisto Pasuwa are Willard Katsande, Khama Billiat, Cuthbert Malajila, Onismo Bhasera, Tafadzwa Rusike and Kuda Mahachi.
The football pundit said it was time local football rewarded players handsomely to retain talent.
“There must be better remuneration for players if local football is to become more thrilling,” says Mabika.
The last 15 matches for most of the teams have seen rare flashes of brilliant performance, with the highest scorer being a midfielder, Bruce Kangwa, who has scored seven goals.