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Augustine Hwata Senior Sports Reporter
FOR the third year in a row, the Soccer Star of the Year Award remains at the Glamour Boys after Tawanda Muparati was unveiled as the king of domestic football last night.Muparati, who was one of the most consistent players for Dynamos as they won the Castle Lager Premiership for the third time in a row, was a dark horse in the race where he beat favourite Silas Songani of Harare City.
In winning the Soccer Star of the Year award, Muparati takes over the mantle from his former teammate Denver Mukamba who won the gong last year.
Mukamba, who is now playing for the University of Pretoria, had also taken over from Washington Arubi, who won in 2011. Last night Muparati picked US$5 000, a shield and the floating trophy while Songani settled for the runner-up position. A former Douglas Warriors player, Muparati becomes the 11th player from Dynamos to win the award after the legendary George Shaya, Ernest Kamba, David Mandigora, Japhet Muparutsa, Moses Chunga, Memory Mucherahowa, Tauya Murehwa, Murape Murape, Arubi and Mukamba.
Songani of Harare City received US$3 000 while Kuda Mahachi was the major surprise as he settled for the second runner-up ahead of Tendai Ndoro.
Mahachi, whose future at Chicken Inn is still uncertain as he is being courted by giants Dynamos, picked US$ 2 000 while the rest of the other eight finalists received US$1 000 each.
Ndoro received an additional US$3 000 for winning the Golden Boot with his 18 goals during the season. The former Chicken Inn hitman has since secured a move to South African side Mpumalanga Black Aces and while underrated Black Rhinos goalkeeper Hebert Rusawo was the Goalkeeper of the Year.
According to statistics, Rusawo who is not among the Soccer Star of the Year finalists, beat Dynamos’ George Chigova and Munyaradzi Diya.
Young Warriors skipper Ronald Pfumbidzai was the odds-on favourite for the Rookie of the Year award after he featured in 25 matches for the Green Machine in his debut season in the Premiership.
The tall leftback received US$ 2000 while Harare City coach Bigboy Mawiwi won the Coach of the Year Award as he beat rivals Callisto Pasuwa and Kelvin Kaindu.
Mawiwi turned Harare City into a competitive outfit this season as it challenged seasoned campaigners Dynamos and Highlanders in the league championship race until the last game of the season.
With a little bit of luck, Harare City could have won the Premiership title but in their last game against CAPS United at the National Sports Stadium, they missed their suspended starman Songani.
There was consolation, however, for Harare City when they were named the most Disciplined Team after picking up the least numbers of points in cautions and fines.
Harare referee Nomore Musundire was named Referee of the Year. Tione Kacheche was the first runner-up while Thomas Kusosa was the second runner-up.
If there was an award for the badboys of the Premiership, league champions Dynamos could have collected the prize after racking over US$60 000 in fines for breaching standing PSL rules while their fans also contributed to the fines when they threw missiles on the field.
But as Muparati was unveiled as king last night, people should also spare a thought for defensive linkman Devon Chafa who could have challenged for the top award had he not been banned by Fifa for using a prohibited substance.
Patson Jaure was ineligible for selection as he was slapped with a seven-match suspension on the eve of the voting while Highlanders’ Bruce Kangwa was elbowed out because of yellow cards.
Soccer Star of the Year: Tawanda Muparati (Dynamos)
First Runner-up : Silas Songani (Harare City)
Second runner-up: Kuda Mahachi (Chicken Inn)
Eight finalists: Eric Chipeta (Hwange), Ndoro (Chicken Inn), Menard Mupera (How Mine), Munyaradzi Diya (Highlanders) Hardlife Zvirekwi (CAPS United), Charles Sibanda (FC Platinum), George Chigova
Goalkeeper of the Year: Hebert Rusawo (Black Rhinos)
Rookie of the Year: Ronald Pfumbidzai (CAPS United)
Refreee of the Year: Nomore Musundire
Coach of the Year: Bigboy Mawiwi (Harare City)
Most Disciplined Team: Harare City
Soccer Star of the Year Roll on honour
1969 George Shaya Dynamos
1970 Tendai Chieza Mhangura
1971 Peter Nyama Chibuku Shumba
1972 George Shaya Dynamos
1973 Ernest Kamba Dynamos
1974 Moses Moyo Zimbabwe Saints
1975 George Shaya Dynamos
1976 George Shaya Dynamos
1977 George Shaya Dynamos
1978 George Rollo Arcadia United
1979 Shacky Tauro CAPS United
1980 David Mandigora Dynamos
1981 Stanley Ndunduma CAPS United
1982 Japhet Mparutsa Dynamos
1983 Ephert Lungu Rio Tinto
1984 James Takavada Zisco Steel
1985 Stanley Ndunduma Black Rhinos
1986 Moses Chunga Dynamos
1987 Mercedes Sibanda Highlanders
1988 Ephraim Chawanda Zimbabwe Saints
1989 Masimba Dinyero Black Mambas
1990 Peter Ndlovu Highlanders
1990 George Nechironga Zimbabwe CAPS United
1991 Peter Ndlovu Highlanders
1992 Wilfred Mugeyi Black Aces
1993 Agent Sawu Zimbabwe Saints
1994 Memory Mucherahowa Dynamos
1995 Tauya Murewa Dynamos
1996 Stewart Murisa CAPS United
1997 Walter Chuma Hwange
1998–99 – – –
2000 Zenzo Moyo Highlanders
2001 Maxwell Dube Chapungu United
2002 Dazzy Kapenya Highlanders
2003 Energy Murambadoro CAPS United
2004 Cephas Chimedza CAPS United
2005 Joseph Kamwendo CAPS United
2006 Clemence Matawu Motor Action
2007 Murape Murape Dynamos
2008 Evans Chikwaikwai Njube Sundowns
2009 Ramson Zhuwawo Gunners
2010 Charles Sibanda Motor Action
2011 Washington Arubi Dynamos
2012 Denver Mukamba Dynamos
2013 Tawanda Muparati Dynamos
2014 ?
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