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Harare Bureau
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 $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 $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 $2,000 while the rest of the other eight finalists received $1,000 each.
Ndoro received an additional $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 $2,000 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 he 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 number 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 $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.
Online Reporter