Arubi hails teammates

awards ceremony in Harare on Wednesday night.
The Warriors’ goalkeeper was voted Dynamos’ Player of the Year, just a few days after he was crowned the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Soccer Star of the Year and Goalkeeper of the Year.
“Firstly I want to thank my teammates for their all-round performance this year.
“We played as a team and it’s really a privilege for me to win the club’s Player of the Year and to be crowned the Castle Lager Soccer Star of the Year.
“It’s not about me as an individual. I owe it to these guys because we were in it together through thick and thin, the whole year to win the league and cup double,” said Arubi.
The DeMbare goalkeeper walked away with a trophy and US$5 000 on the night.
This took his earnings to US$12 000 following the US$7 000 he pocketed for the double he scored at the Castle Lager Premiership awards.
Although it appears he is set to have a Christmas to remember, Arubi revealed he plans to use part of his money on extending his house in Mutare.
Arubi has had a great season with the Glamour Boys, in which they ended a four-year drought by winning the league championship and the premier knockout tournament, the Mbada Diamonds Cup.
Affectionately known as Sekuru Gudo, by the club’s fans, he kept goal 28 times in the league campaign and conceded 13 goals during the season.
He had 17 clean sheets and was also unbeaten in the Mbada Diamonds Cup.
“It’s really interesting because it’s rare for a goalkeeper to be chosen the best player of the season. I am humbled and I have to keep working hard on my fitness.
“I am going to have a short break during the holidays and will start training earlier to keep myself in good shape,” said Arubi.
Attacking midfielder, Tawanda Muparati, also competed for the limelight when he scooped two awards after he was named the Most Disciplined Player and also earned the recognition of his teammates who voted him the Players’ Player of the Year.
Muparati walked away with US$2 500 in total for his achievements.
DeMbare also used the occasion to hold a fund-raising dinner and managed to get pledges amounting to US$55 300, which was far below the US$650 000 they have pegged as their target for the pre-season preparations.
Dynamos patron Webster Shamu, who is also the Minister of Media, Information and Publicity, led the way when he pledged US$50 000 to the club.
The club’s executive committee member responsible for development, Raymond Kazembe, chipped in with US$5 000.
They also received two playing kits, 50 training balls and 40 training bibs from Beta Ball Sports.
The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority undertook to host a friendly match between Dynamos and Kaizer Chiefs.
Shamu urged the Dynamos executive to be united and maintain transparency in order to woe more sponsors into their corner.
Club treasurer Webster Chikengezha said the pledges fell far off the mark and invited supporters and the corporate world to help their preparations.
“We are grateful for those who came in with pledges but I think we did it on short notice.
“Time wasn’t on our side but we still managed to have some people coming and others making their pledges through LaChelle travel, who were running the organisation of the event.
“We will have a clearer picture from them tomorrow on all the pledges.
“Those who feel they have something to offer must feel free to contact the members of the executive and everyone who makes a donation will get an official receipt,” said Chikengezha.