KNOWLEDGE Musona remains the most highly rated in terms of value while Marvelous Nakamba is now second above Khama Billiat among Zimbabwean players.

Musona, an important player for the Warriors and Belgian side K.V. Oostende, is valued at € 2.5 million.

Although the value estimate by Transfermarket for Khama stands at € 1.75 million (around US$1.8 million), making him the third most expensive Zimbabwean player, his club Mamelodi Sundowns wanted more than US$3.5 million.

Instead it is Marvelous Nakamba, whose value reached the million dollar mark in recent years, who is now in the second-most expensive Zimbabwean player at €2 million.

Nakamba, who is highly-rated in Netherlands, was linked with a move to English Premiership giants Everton and giants Galatasaray in January but could not make the move.

Other Zimbabwean players with high value, though below the one million mark, include the likes of Sparta Prague star Costa Nhamoinesu, Tendai Darikwa, Tendai Ndoro, Willard Katsande and Silas Songani.

While most of the players playing at more professional league than PSL have estimated value, the same cannot be said about the majority of the local players, a situation attributed more to lack of competitiveness and professionalism.

The player agents that spoke to Sportszone said player statistics and history which helps in value estimates are a huge factor when it comes to player transfers.

 “It is a big challenge for not only Zimbabwean players but for most African players where the estimated value are either under or overstated depending on the direction of the player,” said Denford Mutashu.

“When there is no value history for the player, that gives more bargaining power to the receiving club as it negotiates to take the player at the lowest player tag.

“It is critical for players to have real or estimated values at any given time. Lack of critical information about the player that includes performance measurement per game or season makes the whole situation more complex.

“Statistics should go beyond goals scored and assists especially in Zimbabwe. The player statistics should be readily available on the clubs’ websites.”

Another agent Gibson Mahachi said the estimated value are important in contract negotiations.

“Sometimes it may not be exactly that value that a club will pay. It can be plus or minus but remains in the same range. So the value estimates are very important for any player,” said Mahachi.

“It is always very difficult when a player is not valued. It will be upto the club and their agent to try and push for a certain figure and convince a foreign club that the player is good.

“That is one of the reasons why we have almost all our local players going for trials before a deal is done. In countries where the players have estimated value, statistics and all the information required you do not have much of the trials when players are moving.

“You will not expect players like Nakamba and Musona to go for trials. And the value estimates also have to do with league competitiveness and the player’s club,” he said.