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Tonderayi Ndiraya and Lloyd Chitembwe

Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
GOLD medal winning coaches Tonderayi Ndiraya and Lloyd Chitembwe are favoured to land the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Coach of the Year accolade after a voting process by 65 panelists who meet in the capital this morning.

Great rivals during their playing days, the two gaffers are again face to face as coaches, having led their respective teams to memorable victories that saw them qualify to represent Zimbabwe in the two Caf competitions next season.

Ndiraya, against expectations, led Ngezi Platinum to a Chibuku Super Cup triumph at the expense of their more illustrious opponents, FC Platinum, who they clobbered 3-1 in the final at Baobab Stadium on November 5.

Besides the cup final victory, Ndiraya transformed a side that was low in spirit and labelled relegation candidates early into the season, into one of the most formidable sides in the league. From Division One in 2015, the squad will now carry the country’s flag as they participate in the Caf Confederations Cup next season.

For an award that is voted for, there is a need to take away the notion that by merely winning the league title, then that coach is guaranteed of winning the award as that will defeat the whole objective of voting. But that does not take away the good work done by Chitembwe, who has won the league title as a player, assistant coach and now as the main man at the Green Machine.

Despite all the labour disputes at the club that threatened even the very existence of Makepekepe, Chitembwe managed to drive the ship through the turbulent waters into safety. The duo are without doubt favourites for the big award with Highlanders’ Dutch coach Erol Akbay likely to receive some recognition as well.

Meanwhile, the decision by the sponsors to make public, the panelists’ voting choices will make the whole selection process even more exciting than before.

There has previously been out cries from members of the public that some panelists, especially members of the media had the tendency of being biased towards their favourite teams, leaving out deserving players. In some instances, voting on regional lines has been alleged.

Last year, one panelist is believed to have thrown in 10 players from a single team with Highlanders’ Knox Mutizwa the odd one out from the list while in 2014 one coach voted for  Masimba Mambare in the coaches’  category.

@skhumoyo2000.