daniel chigunwe
Langton Nyakwenda
EXACTLY 10 years ago, Blessing “Bisto” Moyo was voted the 2014 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League’s Most Promising Player.
He was still a fresh faced 19-year-old.
But, no one expected that it would take a decade for Moyo to finally make it onto the Soccer Stars calendar. The 29-year-old Simba Bhora defender is one of the five players from the PSL champions who made it among the best eleven, when a panel of journalists, club coaches and captains voted online yesterday.
Walter Musona, Webster Tafa, Isheanesu Mauchi and Tymon Machope are the other Simba Bhora players who made it onto the 2024 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Soccer Stars list.
Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos), Godknows Murwira and Kingsley Mureremba (both CAPS United), Donovan Bernard (Chicken Inn) and Khama Billiat, who scored 13 goals for Yadah were also selected.
Golden Boot winner, Lynoth Chisepe Chikuhwa, was a sure bet and he was duly chosen.
The Soccer Star of the Year and his runners-up will be announced on December 6.
The Goalkeeper of the Year and the Most Promising Player will also be announced on the same night.
Moyo played 32 out of 34 games for Simba Bhora, who lost once at their fortress Wadzanai in Shamva.
It was a double blessing for Moyo who was also blessed with a baby boy during the season.
Sasha Makanaka was born on April 16, two days after Simba Bhora beat Dynamos 1-0 at Wadzanai, in what was one of their statement wins of the season.
“I am so grateful with how things came up, especially with the work we put in as a team.
“I am happy for being selected amongst the best 11,” Moyo told Zimpapers Sports Hub.
It has taken Moyo more than a decade to finally make it onto the Soccer Stars calendar, having started his career at DeMbare, as a 17-year-old boy in 2012. He is now on five championship gold medals with three different clubs.
“I think at FC Platinum I was a bit mature but injuries pegged me back,” says Moyo.
“I didn’t play many games but at Simba Bhora I was having more game time.
“At Dynamos I was still very young,” he added.
Murwira said:
“I am grateful and it’s such an honour to be recognised amongst the best performers in a league full of top players,” Murwira said.
TelOne coach, Herbert “Jompano” Maruwa, said:
“It was good for those who managed to be selected, remember it was a difficult season for many teams.
“Players from Simba Bhora, they did well but I think players like (Takunda) Benhura of Ngezi Platinum Stars and (Brian) Banda of FC Platinum were unlucky.
“They could have made it but they will try again next time.”
Veteran commentator, Charles “CNN” Mabika, said:
“Manica Diamonds were fourth but they didn’t have a player selected.
“Herentals were Harare’s best team but they do not have a single player on the calendar.
“Even ZPC Kariba, who had the best defensive record in the league, also didn’t have anyone making it.”
Online Reporter