Moment of truth for soccer stars

Fungai Muderere

CASTLE Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) coaches, their captains as well as selected journalists are today set to vote for the 2024 Soccer Stars of the Year who lit up the local football scene.

The selection process, which will be done virtually and include Footballers Union of Zimbabwe (Fuz) will see the panellists vote for the 11 best players they think excelled in the just-ended season.

The Soccer Star of the Year, two runners-up, Coach of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year as well as the Most Promising Player under the age of 20 will also be voted in, but their names will only be revealed at a banquet to be held in Harare on December 6.

The selection is most likely to be one of the toughest for the panel given most players were mostly on the same level.

However, according to some local football fans, Simba Bhora trio of captain Walter Musona, Isheuanesu Mauchi and Blessing Moyo, Highlander’s Lynoth Chikuhwa, Donovan Bernard (Chicken Inn) Khama Billiat (Yadah Stars), Brian Banda (FC Platinum) and ZPC Kariba captain Boid Mutukure are almost sure bets.

“I think Walter Musona, Khama Billiat and Donovan Bernard who produced 20 clean sheets for his club (Chicken Inn) will be voted. They did well for their respective clubs. I also reckon that Simba Bhora will have more players than any other club voted for,” said one local football follower, Talent Zacharia.

His sentiments were echoed by Paul Jackson Mlambo who said: “Musona, Billiat, Bernard and Chikuhwa all deserve to be voted for. I think from Dynamos, Emanuel Jalai also had a good season.”

Popular Highlanders fan, Chanke Dube also had Musona, his teammate Tymon Machope, Billiat and Bernard as one of his main picks.

Another local football follower, Petros Ndlovu also said the above-mentioned players are the main contenders for the calendar.

“It’s unfortunate that the local football season has come to an end. However, Soccer Stars selectors should do justice by voting for the likes of Musona, Chikuhwa, Donovan Bernard, Brian Banda and Khama Billiat. Billiat showed that he is a very talented player after coming back from South Africa. Musona helped his club clinch the championship. Chikuhwa scored brilliant goals for Highlanders and Donovan (Bernard) was brilliant as a goalkeeper for Chicken Inn,” said Ndlovu.

Musona won the Soccer Star of the Year prize in 2022 when he helped FC Platinum win their fourth straight league title.

Last year, Ngezi Platinum Stars captain Qadr Amini was crowned Soccer Star of the Year.

The 33-year-old former Zimbabwe international pocketed US$7 500 for winning the Soccer Star of the Year award. Dynamos midfielder Donald Mudadi, who finished as the first runner-up, received US$4 500 and  Bulawayo Chiefs striker Obriel Chirinda, who was the second runner-up walked away with US$3 750.

Ngezi Platinum Stars coach Takesure Chiragwi, received the Coach of the Year award, for the first time.

Benhura won the Top Goal Scorer award after scoring 13 goals in his first full season. He received US$6 375.

Ngezi Platinum Stars were also presented with the league trophy by the guest of honour, the Deputy Minister of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Emily Jesaya. For the second year running, they were also named the Most Disciplined Team of the Year.

Dynamos youngster Elton Chikona, was voted the Most Promising Player of the Year.

Herentals forward Tinotenda Benza, for the second year running, was the Fans’ Favourite. Brighton Chimene won the Referee of the Year for the third time, having previously won it in 2016 and 2019. (@The Chronicle)