Online Reporter
Onward Gangata in GWERU
WHEN Washington Navaya was named the 2025 Soccer Star of the Year on Friday, the applause reached far beyond the awards stage.
It travelled back to Gweru, into the tight lanes of Mtapa, and into the memories of a suburb that has shaped some of Zimbabwe’s finest footballers.
Navaya’s coronation was a personal breakthrough for the TelOne striker, yet it also marked a turning of the wheel for a community that has always believed its talent could rise again.
For the first time in 24 years, Mtapa has another player crowned the nation’s best.
The last man to do it was Maxwell “MaRhino” Dube in 2001 when he starred for Chapungu.
Mtapa has always had that spark.
The suburb is the oldest in Gweru and has consistently produced names that shaped the domestic league.
Bekhi Mlotshwa grew up there and so did Melody Wafawanaka.
The late Mackreza Navaya, Washington’s uncle, also carried the suburb’s footballing imprint.
Milton Makopa, Ariel Makopa, Kuda Musharu, Jacob Muzokomba and the Useni brothers kept the flame alive.
Dube has remained more than a symbol of the past.
Through his Marhino7 Academy, which he founded in 2000, he has worked quietly but consistently to shape Gweru’s future.
The academy has taken in hundreds of boys over the years and given structure to raw talent that might otherwise have faded.
“I am extremely excited and deeply proud that our Marhino7 Academy, which I founded back in 2000, has produced the Soccer Star of the Year,” said Dube from Leicester.
“When I heard the news that night, I was in tears.
“This is a massive achievement for me personally, for our academy, and for the young talent in Mtapa, Ascot, and Mambo.
“Running this academy has never been easy and this recognition means everything.
“I want to thank my friends, Artwell Jani in Ireland, Amon Muchenje and Simon Chimanya in the UK, who have consistently supported and helped keep the academy going.
“My mum, who looks after the boys, deserves special mention, as well as coach Isaac Mbano, who is absolutely brilliant with the kids.
“There is also a businessman in Gweru, who prefers to remain unnamed, but he has played a major role by chipping in whenever we needed help.
“Producing world-class players has always been my dream, and Washy’s achievement shows that the talent is there in our communities.”
Navaya joined the academy in 2011 as an under-15 player, and he has never forgotten who helped shape him.
“Everyone who grew up during our era looked up to Maxwell Dube, he was an inspiration to me and many others, he shaped my career when I joined his academy in 2011 and he has been giving me advice throughout my journey.
“I am so happy we now have two Soccer Stars from our neighbourhood,” said Navaya.
