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honour players who were outstanding during the season.
Arubi, who recently scored a double after he was named the league’s best player for the 2011 season and also scooped the Goalkeeper of the Year award, could dominate the awards again tonight.
But Dynamos have a number of good performers this season in which they staged a great fightback to win the league and cup double.
Arubi faces stiff competition for the big prize of the Player of the Year award from striker Roderick Mutuma, who turned on the power in his debut season in the top-flight, in which he finished as the league’s top goal scorer with 14 goals.
Mutuma was ineligible for the Soccer Star of the Year award because of disciplinary problems, something that does not rule him out of the DeMbare awards show.
Club secretary-general, Nyika Chifamba, yesterday said all was now set for the ceremony, which will be held concurrently with the fund-raising dinner for the 2012 Champions League preparations.
Dynamos revealed this week that they need to raise US$ 650 000 for signing-on fees.
Chifamba said players were vying for recognition in eight categories that include Players’ Player of the Year, Most Disciplined Player, Most Loyal Player, Most Consistent Player, Rookie of the Year, Most Improved Player, Top Goal Scorer and the big prize of the Player of the Year.
Dynamos have secured sponsorship from BancABC and Chifamba refused to divulge the breakdown of the prizes.
“All we are trying to do is to honour the players for excelling this season.
“They did well to win the league and cup double and they also provided the league’s Soccer Star, Top Goal Scorer and Rookie of the Year.
“By any measure that was big success and we came up with the awards as a way to express our appreciation for the hard work. We also owe it to our coaches and they deserve recognition.
“As Dynamos we are grateful to our sponsors BancABC for bankrolling the prizes because, as our major sponsors, the success of the team augurs well with their brand. We need to protect and hold it in high esteem,” said Chifamba.
Dynamos ended a four-year wait to win the championship and capped it with the biggest knockout Cup sponsored by Mbada Diamonds.
They also won the biggest knockout cup, the Mbada Diamonds Cup, and the Net One Charity shield and the Bob’87 Cup.
Arubi is one player who stood head and shoulders above the rest as he guarded the Dynamos goal jealously – keeping a clean sheet 17 times in 28 games for the Glamour Boys.
This also makes him a contender for the Most Consistent Player of the Year award.
Striker Mutuma, who is the obvious winner for the Top Goal Scorer award, is also tipped to win the Most Improved Player category after working on his technique from a raw Division One player at the beginning of
the season to become the top striker in the league. Defenders Thomas Magorimbo, George Magariro, Guthrie Zhokinyi have also been consistent while midfielders Denver Mukamba, Milton Makopa, Tawanda Muparati and Murape Murape were brilliant during the season.
DeMbare are also set to unveil their squad for the 2012 season at the dinner.
Chifamba said they have invited a limited number of people and revealed that they will be selling a table for10 people for US$10 000 as part of their fund-raising efforts.
Online Reporter