admin“Madalaboy” Moyo – has died.
Moyo died on Monday afternoon. He was 60.
Prior to that, winners of the accolade were Peter Nyama, Rob Jordan, Tendai Chieza and Ernest Kamba – all from the Northern Region.
With Highlanders winning the 1974 regional league and the national play-off, Bulawayo players were bound to dominate awards, and they did that emphatically. With Moyo crowned Soccer Star of the Year, Bruce Grobbelaar, then a teenager and Highlanders’ first-choice goalminder, was first runner-up. Barry Daka, who had returned from Hwange, was the third man on the podium.
Other finalists that year included Daniel Chikanda, Gibson Homela, Isaac Mafaro, Peter Nyama, Billy Sharman, George Shaya and former Hwange and Chibuku Shumba shot-stopper Posani Sibanda.
Moyo was described by former Herald Sports Editor the late Allan Hlatywayo as a creative genius on the field.
“In fact other than George Shaya and possibly David Muchineripi, Moyo is the most creative player under the tight conditions,” wrote Hlatywayo.
Moyo, the first born in a family of eight, was born on March 1 1951.
He came to Bulawayo in 1957 with his parents and his father, who died in 2007, was said to have played for some clubs in Makokoba.
For his primary school education he went to Mtshede Primary School and on two consecutive years 1967-1968 he won the Mayor’s Trophy.
He was persuaded to join the once flourishing reservoir for creativity Bulawayo Wanderers by Richard Maseko. He stayed there for four years and was involved in a $300 transfer to Zimbabwe Saints in 1974 where he immediately shone like a beacon.
He opened avenues for players like James Takavada, Ephert Lungu, Ephraim Chawanda, the late Mercedes “Rambo” Sibanda, Agent Sawu, Zenzo Moyo, Maxwell Dube and Dazzy Kapenya as the only other out of Harare players to be crowned Soccer Star of the Year.
He leaves behind a wife and two daughters – Maidei (30) and Judith (25). He will be buried at Bulawayo’s West Park Cemetry this morning.
Mourners are gathered at the family home 3478 Nkulumane.
Online Reporter