Online Reporter
Tendai Chara
Zimpapers Sports Hub
FOLLOWING the conclusion of the hotly-contested Northern Region Soccer League 2025 championship campaign in which Agama pipped N’ombeyawora to the title on the last day of the season, attention has now been shifted to the selection of the stars of the show this season.
The league’s stand-out players are lined up for selection in the NRSL Team of the Year.
Stakeholders in the league, among them coaches and players, aired their views on who should make the final cut.
In interviews with players and coaches, a number of them, including the Agama trio of goalkeeper Wilson Brown, defender Christopher Petros and striker Grey Kufandada, emerged as popular choices.
Kufandada, who scored 17 goals has already bagged the Golden Boot award.
N’ombeyawora’s striking partnership of Russel Chifura and Tadiwa Chibunyu are also among the players that are heavily tipped to make it on the prestigious NRSL Soccer Stars list.
Emmanuel Zinyama, their teammate, also had a very good season.
Trevor Bhunu, the Golden Eagles talisman who made it to the 2024 soccer stars list, is likely going to make it again this year.
Bhunu weighed in with 12 goals as Golden Eagles settled for third place.
He also provided crucial assists and has attracted the attention of a number of Premier Soccer League teams.
Paul “Popopo” Chimalizeni, the Agama coach who has not lost a game since taking over the Mt Darwin side tipped four of his players whom he believes could make it to the list.
“Christopher Petros, Wilson Brown, Grey Kufandada and Tinashe Balakasi were among the league’s best players,” Chimalizeni said.
The seasoned coach also mentioned N’ombeyawora’s Chifura and Chibunyu.
“Apart from these players, we also have the Chinhoyi Stars left back and the Chinhoyi Rangers fullback. I do not know their names. These guys also had an excellent season.”
Chimalizeni believes Petros is going to clinch the Soccer Star of the Year gong.
By winning the championship, Chimalizeni is most likely going to be the Coach of the Year. Arthur Gorejena, the Golden Eagles coach listed two of his players Bhunu and midfielder Munyaradzi Mushanga as top contenders.
His list also included Agama’s Balakasi, Wilson Brown and Kufandada.
N’ombeyawora’s attacking midfielder Tadiwa Huni and Shamva United’s also impressed the young coach.
PAM goalkeeper Admire Shonga is one of the many surprise contenders.
In 2024, Scottland won the NRSL championship and had two players, Ronald Pfumbidzai and Lincoln Zvasiya, making it to the Best XI list.
MWOS, who finished second, had the most stars — three.
Kelvin Shangiwa, Everson Feremba and Arthur Banda represented the Norton-based club on the outstanding players’ list.
