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The Goalkeeper of the Year was chosen on a technicality after the sponsors and PSL said it has to be the goalkeeper who conceded the least number of goals. Arubi let in just 13 goals while Tafadzwa Dube of FC Platinum picked up the ball 22 times from his nets and Motor Action’s veteran goalkeeper Marlon Jani did so 18 times.
Eleven players among them two goalkeepers, Dube and Arubi, were selected by a panel of journalists from various media houses and 16 coaches from the Premier Soccer League on the 26th of last month.
The panel also selected the Rookie of the Year who was selected from 55 Under-20 players registered with the Premiership.
The Referee of the Year and his two runners up will also be unveiled and so will the Coach of the Year, likely to be a two-horse race between Dynamos’ Callisto Pasuwa, who lifted a double, and Hwange’s Zambian import Tenant Chilumba.
Had the criteria not been changed at the last minute where a coach or player should have featured in at least half of his team’s games, Chilumba would have been the clear-cut favourite but now he has to shrug off the challenge of Pasuwa who was in charge for only 11 games.
On the referees’ side Gwanda-based Nkosana Nduna could have lovely festive holidays.
However, it is Arubi who is likely to be the biggest beneficiary as the Footballer of the Year carries $5 000 while the Goalkeeper of the Year has a cool $2 000 waiting for him.
If he grabs the biggest individual prize on the land, the DeMbare shot stopper will join the legendary Japhet Mparutsa who emerged tops in 1982 in Dynamos colours while the imposing Energy Murambadoro shined in 2003.
Arubi, disqualified last year during an emotionally charged selection process where journalists fought against each other on the reasons for his disqualification after he allegedly finger gestured at Highlanders supporters, was this year clearly the most consistent player on view this season. He, together with golden boot winger Rodrick Mutuma, helped the Harare giants clinch a double.
It is unfortunate that young Mutuma was disqualified from the main race after he picked up six yellow cards, a cruel lesson that discipline on the field of play is of paramount importance.
Highlanders’ dribbling winger Rahman Kutsanzira could be the first runner-up while any of Tapuwa Khumbuyani of Caps United and Abbas Amidu of Black Mambas also have a chance of being in the top three.
2011 Footballers of the Year finalists
Nkosana Siwela (Hwange), Graham Ncube, Rahman Kutsanzira (both Highlanders), Donald Ngoma, Tafadzwa Dube (both FC Platinum), Washington Arubi, George Magariro (both Dynamos), Allan Gahadzikwa (Motor Action), Abbas Amidu (Black Mambas), Cliff Sekete (Gunners), Tapuwa Khumbuyani (Caps United).
Golden Boot Winner
Rodrick Mutuma
Most Disciplined Team: Hwange
Previous Soccer Star of the Year Winners
Year Player (Club)
1969 George Shaya (Dynamos)
1970 Tendai Chieza (Mangula)
Year Player (Club)
1971 Peter Nyama (Chibuku)
1972 George Shaya (Dynamos)
1973 Ernest Kamba (Dynamos)
1974 Moses Moyo (Zimbabwe Saints)
1975 George Shaya (Dynamos)
1976 George Shaya (Dynamos)
1977 George Shaya (Dynamos)
1978 George Rollo Arcadia Utd
1979 Shacky Tauro (CAPS United)
1980 David Mandigora (Dynamos)
1981 Stanley Ndunduma (CAPS United)
1982 Japhet Mparutsa (Dynamos)
1983 Ephert Lungu (Rio Tinto)
1984 James Takavada (Ziscosteel)
1985 Stanley Ndunduma (Black Rhinos)
1986 Moses Chunga (Dynamos)
1987 Mercedes Sibanda (Highlanders)
1988 Ephraim Chawanda (Zimbabwe Saints)
1989 Masimba Dinyero (Black Mambas)
1990 Peter Ndlovu (Highlanders)
1990 George Nechironga (CAPS United)
1991 Peter Ndlovu (Highlanders)
1992 Wilfred Mugeyi (Black Aces)
1993 Agent Sawu (Zimbabwe Saints)
1994 Memory Mucherahowa (Dynamos)
1995 Tauya Murewa (Dynamos)
1996 Stewart Murisa (CAPS United)
1997 Walter Chuma (Wankie)
2000 Zenzo Moyo (Highlanders)
2001 Maxwell Dube (Chapungu United)
2002 Dazzy Kapenya (Highlanders)
2003 Energy Murambadoro (CAPS United)
2004 Cephas Chimedza (CAPS United)
2005 Joseph Kamwendo [Malawi] (CAPS United)
2006 Clemence Matawu (Motor Action)
2007 Murape Murape (Dynamos)
2008 Evans Chikwaikwai (Njube Sundowns)
2009 Rabson Zhuwawo (Gunners)
2010 Charles Sibanda (Motor Action)
2011…………………….?
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