adminGrace Chingoma Senior Sports Reporter
THE man who was crowned king last year, Dennis Dauda, has tipped Chicken Inn midfielder Danny “Deco” Phiri to take over his crown when the Soccer Star of the Year is crowned in Harare this evening.
The ZPC Kariba defender, who was impressive last year, had an ordinary season this year. And Dauda believes Phiri will be crowned king.
“I believe no one, other than our captain Danny, deserves to win this award. He was our captain at the COSAFA tournament and was also captain of his club which won the league,” said Dauda.
“I think he deserves to win. He is a good player and this year he played very well. I watched him play against other teams and I feel he really played well.
Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas and several other coaches, who were part of the selection panel, have also tipped Phiri. But there are chances that the award could be won by Golden Boot winner Knox Mutizwa and Dynamos wingback Ocean Mushure.
The ceremony will also see the Coach of the Year being crowned and it is a two-horse race between Antipas and FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza.
The Goalkeeper of the Year will also be unveiled as well as the Most Promising Under-20 Player of the Year.
New champions Chicken Inn provide the largest number of players on the calendar with four of them — Phiri, Clement Matawu, goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze and Edmore Chirambadare — making the list.
The panel that voted
Coaches and club captains: Saul Chaminuka, Shepherd Nkatha (Buffaloes); Lloyd Chitembwe, Moses Muchenje (CAPS United), John Nyikadzino, Phillip Marufu (Chapungu), Joey Antipas, Danny Phiri, Tonderai Ndiraya, Augustine Mbara (Dynamos), Norman Mapeza, Petros Mhari (FC Platinum), Takesure Chiragwi, Gift Phiri (Flame Lily), Taurai Mangwiro, David Kutyauripo (Harare City), Amini Soma Phiri, Felix Chindungwe (Highlanders), Jeremiah Makota, Tapuwa Kumbuyani (How Mine), Nation Dube, Gerald Ndlovu (Hwange), Jimmy Tigere (Triangle), Lizwe Sweswe, William Stima (Tsholotsho), Luke Petros, Blessed Chikwekwete (WhaWha), Sunday Chidzambwa, Tendai Hove (ZPC Kariba).
Journalists: Grace Chingoma, Eddie Chikamhi, Augustine Hwata, Takudzwa Chitsiga (The Herald); Ishemunyoro Chingwere, Langton Nyakwenda (The Sunday Mail), Chipo Sabeta, Mugove Chigada (H-Metro), Ricky Zililo, Skumbuzo Moyo (Chronicle), Mehluli Sibanda, Ngqwele Dube (Sunday News), Fungai Muderere (B-Metro), Ray Bande (Manica Post), Howard Musonza (Star FM), Muziwethu Hadebe (Star FM), Alvin Madzivanzira (Patriot), Alois Bunijira (ZiFM), Ian Zvoma, Merit Munzwembiri, Francis Nyamutsamba, Collin Nikisi (ZBC), Henry Mhara,Tawanda Tafirenyika, Kenneth Nyangani (NewsDay), Thandiwe Moyo, Fortune Mbele (Southern Eye), Godknows Matarutse, Blessing Mashaya (Daily News).
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