Five best Zimbabweans that graced the PSL

A number of Zimbabwean footballers have played in the Premier Soccer League [PSL] but only five remain etched in hearts of many football followers for their brilliance, commitment and hardwork.

Zimbabwean footballers are known for their high work-rate and skills, with the likes Wilfred Mugeyi, Khama Billiat and Knowledge Musona emerging as part of the greatest players that have graced the South African top-flight league.

FARPost takes a look at the top five performers that joined the elite league from neighbors, Zimbabwe.

Wilfred Mugeyi

The former Zimbabwe international remains one of the most recognized strikers in the history of South African football because of the impact he made in the PSL’s commencement season.

Wilfred Mugeyi rose to stardom during the 1996/97 season when he banged 22 goals for Umtata Bush Bucks to emerge as the season’s golden boot winner.

As a result he won the prestigious PSL Player of the Year and Player’s Player of the Year award.

After leaving Umtata Bush Bucks, Wilfred who is a twin brother to William Mugeyi, played for Ajax Cape Town and Free State Stars where he continued with his consistent goal-scoring.

To date, he is ranked in top ten of the PSL all-time goalscorers with 91 goals registered to his name.

In truth, Mugeyi’s exploits played an instrumental role in influencing scouters to invade the Zimbabwean market for talented players.

Khama Billiat

Undoubtedly Khama Billiat’s name will be etched in the PSL history books as one of the greatest Zimbabwean players to have graced South Africa.

The Kaizer Chiefs attacker stormed the league in 2011 as a Ajax Cape Town winger in a season they played bridesmaids to Orlando Pirates who won the PSL title.

His brilliance at Ajax Cape Town attracted Mamelodi Sundowns who he subsequently.

At Sundowns he undoubtedly played his best football to help the club win seven major trophies including three PSL titles.

During the period he was a runner up for the 2017 CAF African Player of the Year [ based in Africa] award. Dennis Onyango won the award.

In 2018, the 32-year-old clinched the PSL Player of the Season and Players’ of the Season.

He switched to Kaizer Chiefs and has rather struggled to reignite the spark that made him a darling in South Africa while also attracting European interests.

Tinashe Nengomasha

Tinashe Nengomasha is also one of the few Zimbabwean players that won the Player of the season award. 

For a defensive midfielder, Nengomasha was so exceptional that he played a key role when Kaizer Chiefs won the 2003/04 league title.

It is that season in which Father, as he was also known, was rewarded for his consistency and command throughout the season as he also walked away with the Players’ Player of the season accolade.

At Kaizer Chiefs, the midfield maestro spent ten years from 2002 upto 2012, a period which the club accounted for 10 major trophies.

The Soweto based club deservedly honored Nengomasha with a legendary status at the club when he retired.

Knowledge Musona

The Saudi Arabia-based striker, Knowledge Musona, is remembered for being lethal, speedy and accurate during his two stints at Kaizer Chiefs.

Simply put, for both club and country, the 32-year-old is one of the most naturally talented strikers that emerged since the turn of the millennium.

Musona was a vital cog in Chiefs Telkom Knockout success when they accounted for the cup twice in a row, in 2009 and 2010 respectively.

In 2010 he deservedly won PSL Club Rookie of the Season award while he also accounted for the 2010/11 golden Boot award after scoring 15 goals.

His second stint was during the 2013/14 season when he was loaned to Chiefs by German side TSG Hoffenheim and scored 16 goals.

Willard Katsande

Just like Nengomasha, Willard Katsande is one of the hardworking Zimbabwean midfielders that graced the PSL.

During his stay at Naturena, it was hard to imagine them without Katsande in the heart of the midfield.

In his illustrious career mostly spent at Kaizer Chiefs, Katsande was part of the team that won the league in the 2012/13 season.

Chiefs won the title again in the 2014/15 season which turned out to be Katsande’s best season at the club.

It is in this season that Salt and Vinegar as he was fondly known won three accolades namely the Player’s player of the season, Fans player of the season and the Player of the season award.