H-Metro Reporter
LIVERPOOL and Zimbabwe football legend Bruce Grobbelaar has been selected for the prestigious Hall of Fame — Sports Excellence & Global Football Ambassador Award.
The iconic former Warriors goalkeeper will be honoured at the 7th National Edition Grand Finale of the Zimbabwe Community Trailblazers Awards (ZCTA) on Friday, 29 January 2027, at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC).
The high-profile red-carpet gala dinner will run under the theme: “Empowering the Future: Connecting Youth, Driving Digital Devolution, and Achieving Vision 2030 through Grassroots Impact.”
As is the custom, the blockbuster event will be officially officiated by a high-ranking government official.
Grobbelaar’s selection places him within an Elite 100 Trailblazers cohort vetted under a rigorous 100-Point Adjudication Rubric, where his global sporting achievements secured a near-flawless score of 98 out of 100 points.
The adjudication panel—led by Advisory Committee Board Chairperson Dr. Nigel Chanakira and Founder/CEO Albert Masaka—highly commended Grobbelaar for his unmatched patriotism, historic international talent export, and profound socio-economic impact in uniting the nation.
Reacting to the announcement, an emotional Grobbelaar expressed his gratitude for the homecoming recognition.
“My heart is deeply full,” Grobbelaar said.
“I have been incredibly fortunate to stand on some of the grandest sporting stages in the world.
“I have felt the roaring energy of Anfield, and I have lifted the European Cup.
“But let me tell you clearly: nothing compares to the profound honor of being recognised by your own people, in your own homeland.”
The “Jungleman” made history as the first African footballer to win the European Cup in 1984.
He anchored English giants Liverpool through an illustrious golden era, making 628 historic appearances, keeping 267 clean sheets, and securing 13 major titles, including six English First Division League titles and three FA Cups.
Nationally, he served as the unbreakable, charismatic heartbeat of the legendary 1990s Zimbabwe “Dream Team” across 32 international caps, inspiring millions during their historic 13-match unbeaten streak.
Speaking on the historic selection, ZCTA CEO Albert Masaka noted that the award reflects the country’s development philosophies.
“In line with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s mantra, ‘Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo,’ and our core philosophy that ‘Zimbabwe is a friend to all and an enemy to none,’ we are deeply honoured to welcome Bruce Grobbelaar back home to receive this definitive national tribute,” Masaka said.
“Bruce is a true global ambassador who put Zimbabwean football on the international map.
“His technical lifework, flamboyant brilliance, and enduring love for the Warriors perfectly embody the spirit of resilience we celebrate.”
Masaka added that Grobbelaar’s lifetime athletic achievements perfectly anchor this cycle’s overarching national theme, noting that his milestones will be permanently institutionalised inside the national ZCTA Investor Digest.
The publication is set to be delivered directly to the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) and other key stakeholders to inspire future generations.
Organisers Perfection Media Pvt Ltd confirmed that corporate alignment packages, VVIP table bookings, and strategic partnership matrices—ranging from Platinum Anchor to Gold Tiers—are now officially open for brands looking to align with national sports development, green innovation, and structural devolution frameworks.
