Online Reporter
Onward Gangata
TELONE striker Washington Navaya heads into the national team camp with a spring in his step after sweeping three major awards at the club’s end-of-season ceremony in Gweru on Friday night.
Navaya is part of the 55-man provisional Afcon squad announced last week by Warriors coach Marian Marinica. His inclusion crowns a standout campaign in which he finished as the league’s top scorer with 17 goals and earned a place among the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Best Eleven.
His night in Gweru capped it all. Navaya walked away with the Player of the Season award, the Players’ Player of the Season award and the Top Goal Scorer gong. It was a haul that left him convinced he was stepping into national duty at the right moment.
“This has been a great season for me,” he told the Zimpapers Sports Hub. “I give glory to God for everything that I have achieved this season and many thanks to my teammates. This comes at a good time for me as I prepare to join the Warriors camp. My prayer is that the good fortunes can be carried over into national team colours and possibly in Morocco.”
Tawanda Macheke was voted the Most Consistent Player, while Panashe Mutasa claimed the Goal of the Season award for his long-range strike against Scottland at Rufaro. Calvin Chigara took the Rookie of the Year award, Bruno Mtigo was named the Most Disciplined Player and Eria Mafirenyika was named the Most Loyal Player. Captain Frank Makarati earned the Most Inspirational Player award, and Kuda Nyakudanga was picked as the Find of the Season.
Meanwhile, Sheasham striker Wilfred Madzungu added his own momentum ahead of camp, collecting two awards at the Zifa Central Region Soccer League ceremony on Saturday. Madzungu, the only lower division player named in the Afcon provisional squad, was crowned Player of the Season and Top Goal Scorer.
The 24-year-old believes the recognition sets him up well for the step into national colours.
“This is an opportunity of a lifetime. I will do my best to repay the coaches for the trust they have in my abilities. I am now looking beyond playing in Division One, but to keep soaring and developing as a player,” he said.
Hardrock pair Munyaradzi Diro Nyenye and Mathia Kigonya finished as first and second runners-up in the Player of the Season race, while Sheasham goalkeeper Elton Sibanda won the Goalkeeper of the Year award.
