Zim Metro

Ndoro tipped to clinch soccer star of the year award

Each one of the 50 panelists was asked to come up with a list of 11 players who were outstanding all season. Only three did not vote for the country’s Golden Boot winner in a selection viewed as having been truly representative of proceedings at local stadia during the course of the year.

Ndoro, who is set to leave Chicken Inn for Mpumalanga Black Aces, could join a long list of past winners who have left for greener pastures soon after landing the award who include Cephas Chimedza, Joseph Kamwendo, Ernegy Murambadoro and Clemence “Little Maestro” Matawu.

After the 11 were announced, journalists and coaches then went for the second round of voting in which they voted for their top three in order of preference.

Envelopes with the votes will be opened towards the Soccer Star of the Year banquet set for 13 December in Harare and the votes will be tallied up.

Dynamos’ Tawanda Muparati was the second most popular player in the selection with 46 votes. He shone like a beacon for the club and his stunner from 25m in the 2-2 draw against Chicken Inn last week was key to the club’s championship charge.

Silas Songani, whose profile rose after his performance against Highlanders in the 4-0 mauling of the Bulawayo soccer giants by Harare City two Sundays ago, was the third most popular player with 45 votes.

Another favourite with the media was Kudakwashe Mahachi, a finalist last year and also a Rookie of the Year award winner. The Chicken Inn dynamo, who could move to South Africa, could find himself in the top three as he earned himself 43 votes from the coaches and scribes on Saturday.

A dark horse though could be Hwange’s Eric Chipeta who shocked many with his 42 votes. The defender has had an outstanding season for both club and country and he was considered on the list ahead of two other impressive teammates Gerald Ndlovu and David Boriwondo.

Highlanders’ most outstanding player Munyaradzi Diya got 39 votes with Caps United’s Hardlife Zvirekwi earning himself 38 votes.

Menard Mupera, the How Mine midfielder, fared well with 31 votes, with surprise package Gift Bello getting 20 votes. His DeMbare teammate George Chigova got 24 votes and FC Platinum’s Charles Sibanda received 17 votes to seal the 11.

In all 45 players were considered with Bruce Kangwa of Highlanders and Prosper Matizanadzo of Buffaloes getting votes despite the panel having been advised that they were not eligible because they had accumulated six yellow cards.

The list:
Munyaradzi Diya (Highlanders, 39), Aaron Katebe (FC Platinum, 5),  Tawanda Muparati (Dynamos, 46), Menard Mupera (How Mine, 31), Pervington Zimunya (Shabanie Mine, 11), Tendai Ndoro (Chicken Inn, 47), Hardlife Zvirekwi (Caps United, 38), Gift Bello (Dynamos, 20), Misheck Mburayi (Triangle, 8), Masimba Mambare, (Highlanders, 4), Tafadzwa Mombeshora  (Shabanie Mine, 5), Silas Songani (Harare City, 45), Pasca Manhanga (Triangle, 14), Tendai Samanja (Caps United, 11), Kudakwashe Mahachi ( Chicken Inn, 43), Eric Chipeta (Hwange, 42), Nathan Ziwini ( Harare City, 15), Simon Munawa (Highlanders, 2), Ronald Chitiyo (Monomotapa, 13), Charles Sibanda (FC Platinum, 17), Peter Moyo (Highlanders, 7), Felix Chindungwe (Chicken Inn, 2), Njabulo Ncube (Highlanders, 1), Steven Sibanda (Buffaloes, 12), Gorge Chigova (Dynamos, 24), Milton Ncube (Highlanders, 2), Nicholas Alifandika (Black Mambas, 9), Talent Chawapiwa (Harare City, 2), Tafadzwa Dube (Caps United, 6), James Jam (Harare City, 2), Gabriel Nyoni (Highlanders, 1), Ali Sadiki (FC Platinum, 1), Lameck Nhamo ( Triangle, 2), Dumisani Ndlovu (Highlanders, 4), Ronald Pfumbidzayi (Caps United, 1), David Boriwondo (Hwange, 5), Warren Dube (How Mine, 1), Lot Chiwunga (Black Rhinos, 2), Brain Mbiriri (Chicken Inn, 3), Farai Vimisayi (Hwange, 1), Daniel Vheremu (FC Platinum, 1), Fungai Chirinda (Shabanie Mine, 1), Blessing Chimwamuchere (Triangle, 1), Bruce Kangwa (Highlanders, 1), Prosper Matizanadzo (Buffaloes, 2).

 0

Big Reads