daniel chigunwe
Bruce Chikuni
Sports Reporter
WARRIORS and Kaizer Chiefs legend, Willard Katsande says he would have voted for Dynamos midfielder, Donald Mudadi for the Castle Lager Premiership Soccer Star of the Year.
A panel of journalists, 18 team captains and their coaches will today select the Best 11 players in the Castle Lager Premiership for the just ended season.
The season’s best player will be revealed at a special banquet this Friday.
Dynamos anchor man, Donald Mudadi joined the Glamour Boys from the relegated Harare City at the start of this campaign.
The 28-year-old brought his majesty into Dynamos’ midfield and become an instant key component in DeMbare’s engine room with his implacable reading of the game and tenacity in breaking up opposition attacks.
Mudadi finished as the team’s top goal scorer after netting five times and provided eight assists.
His versatility has seen him being deployed in different roles.
Understandably, people have developed a tendency of lionising those who supply the ecstatic moments particularly the strikers.
However, CAPS United’s Joel “Josta” Ngodzo who operates in Mudadi’s territory also won the Soccer Star of The Year award in 2019.
Makepekepe had also finished third in that campaign.
Dynamos have also secured bronze medal in the just ended campaign and a sizeable section of their fans have believed Mudadi shouldered this burden.
And, Katsande shares the same narrative.
Katsande said what Mudadi has achieved in his maiden campaign with DeMbare is remarkable arguing that defensive midfielders takes five seasons to record the numbers he has racked up.
“I have respect for Mudadi, he is one player who I believe it’s now high time he makes his foreign breakthrough.
“His goals were really amazing and if I was in a position to cast my vote for this gong, I was going to vote for him.
“He made things look easy with the ball on his feet and it’s very unfortunate that despite everything which he has done people are ignoring his contributions. It takes five seasons for a holding midfielder to score five goals,” said Katsande.
Ngezi Platinum Stars forward, Takunda Benhura is also among the leading candidates for this award. He busted the net 13 times to claim the league’s Golden Boot but he will definitely be discouraged by knowing that last season’s top goal scorer, William Manondo, who surpassed his tally by four goals did not take home this prize.
Highlanders goal-minder, Ariel Sibanda won the Golden Glove Marathon after recording 19 clean sheets but since this prize is up to Journalists, captains and coaches to decide their best goalie, he is likely going to be beaten by Ngezi’s Nelson Chadya.
Chadya propelled Ngezi Platinum to their maiden championship and he finished just a clean sheet behind Sibanda.
Simba Bhora forward, Tinashe Balakasi is also in the conversation after banging in 10 times to help the miners to secure their PSL ticket for next season.
Online Reporter