Online Reporter
Oscar Rusenga in Triangle
MUNASHE Bamara walked into Triangle Country Club as one of the team’s brightest performers. He walked out as the night’s undisputed star.
The Triangle United midfielder was the toast of the Lowveld awards ceremony after sweeping two major honours, a fitting end to a season in which he carried the Sugar Sugar Boys through some of their toughest moments.
Bamara missed out on a spot in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League best eleven, yet he never lost his shine in Triangle’s colours. He was rewarded with the Player of the Year award and the Players’ Player of the Year award.
It capped a campaign where he drove his team to the Chibuku Super Cup final and chipped in with three goals and five assists across all competitions.
His calm in midfield kept Triangle steady in a season that flirted with disaster, even though he sat out the final match because of suspension.
He took the recognition with a smile and turned the spotlight back to the people around him.
“Of course the player of the season award is the big one but I am honoured to win the players’ player award, which is voted for by my teammates.
“It feels great to learn that my efforts are appreciated by my colleagues. I wish for a better season next year and I believe together we can achieve our goals.”
The night also belonged to the club’s young and rising group. Witness Shave, who came close to taking the national Promising Player of the Season award, received recognition from the club. Aaron Zeka collected the top scorer award with six goals and Tawanda Chatuluka was named the Most Improved Player.
Eighteen-year-old Vince Mero earned the Most Promising Player award. Carlos Musimwa took the Most Disciplined Player award. Munyaradzi Mawadza, who stayed loyal when Triangle dropped to the lower division and helped haul them back to the top flight, was named the club’s Most Loyal Player.
The leadership core of captains Thabani Kamusoko and Ali Sadiki also had their moment as they received special captaincy honours. Head coach Genesis Mangombe closed the night by collecting the Chairman’s Award after steering the team to safety with a late-season rally that kept Triangle in the Premier Soccer League.
The awards told the story of a club that pushed through a storm and finished with enough pride to build on.
For Bamara, it marked the rise of a player who held the team together when it mattered most.
