Div One players finally get 2015 medals

Fungai Muderere
ZIFA Southern Region Division Oneaï¿½ï¿½s last season outstanding players recently received their medals ahead of the start of the 2016 season on Saturday.

The official awards ceremony was held at Choppies Liquor Hub late last year but medals and prizes were yet to follow.

aï¿½?As the leaders we had to make sure that our heroes get honoured and Iaï¿½ï¿½m happy that our last seasonaï¿½ï¿½s outstanding players have finally received their awards. They have got their medals which I believe should be an encouragement for them. A medal means one has to try more in the field that he or she is in,aï¿½? said Zifa Southern Region chairman Musa Mandaza.

Bantu Rovers forward Lenience aï¿½?Qobhoaï¿½? Mpofu was one of the leagueaï¿½ï¿½s players that had a stellar performance.

He walked away with a double prize as he was presented with a Golden Boot and a medal for being on the ZIFA Southern Region Division One Soccer Stars calendar.

His teammate Bukhosi aï¿½?Zakuaï¿½? Sibanda, who is Tshintsha Guluva captain,Aï¿½Aï¿½ was named first runner-up to the Soccer Star of the year.

Meanwhile, the regionaï¿½ï¿½s league action resumes on Saturday and Mandaza has challenged all the clubs to uphold the true spirit of sportsmanship.

aï¿½?Our new season starts on Saturday and games will also be played on Sunday. The league has in the past seasons produced clubs that have gone to compete well in the Premier Soccer League. For example, last year Tsholotsho FC were not relegated from the premier league. As we speak Bulawayo City has gone to join them and I would like to encourage Division Clubs to uphold the spirit of sportsmanship and compete well. Southern Region has proved to be a competitive region and I am glad we are on the verge of concluding talks with some sponsors. We have secured one (sponsorship) which we are going to announce soon,aï¿½? said Mandaza.

Fourteen out of the 18 Zifa Southern Region Division One League sides will be in action when the season gets under way.

Nust surrendered their franchise to Quelaton and the latter has been trying to dispose of it to Zimbabwe Saints.

Victoria Falls-based Trumus have reportedly dumped their First Division franchise opting to play in the Zifa Matabeleland North Division Two Soccer League.

According to the seasonaï¿½ï¿½s draw, in their week one encounter Nust were set to face Casmyn while Trumus were meant to fight it out against newboys ZRP Bulawayo.