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Langton Nyakwenda-Zimpapers Sports Hub
IN football, a height of 1,8 metres is generally considered tall enough, although not exceptional like Newcastle United’s Dan Burn, who stands at an incredible 2,01m, and is currently the English Premier League’s tallest player.
Ex-Liverpool striker Peter Crouch was also exceptional at 2,01m while Manchester City’s star striker Erling Haaland, who is 1,94m tall, is not even among the top 10 tallest players in the EPL.
However, by local standards, players who are 1,8m or slightly taller, are considered gangly and TelOne striker, Washington Navaya, fits that bill.
At 1,81m tall, Navaya is also towering on the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League goal scoring charts, with four goals so far in five matches.
He is the leading scorer in the 2025 campaign and was last week named the March Player of the Month.
He received the US$750 prize money last Saturday, a few minutes before TelOne took to the field against champions Simba Bhora at Wadzanayi in Shamva.
The Wi-Fi Boys lost 0-1, to register their second defeat in the opening five matches of the season.
On Saturday they return to their home, Bata in Gweru, hoping to bounce back to winning ways, albeit in a tough encounter against undefeated log leaders Ngezi Platinum Stars.
“We must take three points from this game,” declared Navaya.
It is the first time that the 26-year-old Navaya has received the Player Month of the Month award.
But after putting on a stellar shift for TelOne, Navaya was not entirely surprised at winning the gong.
His goals have helped TelOne to amass seven points from five matches and they are six behind pacesetters Ngezi.
“I am grateful because this is my first time (to win the monthly award).
“But I felt I had a chance to win this one because I was in such a good form in March,” Navaya said.
The former Highlanders striker has challenged himself to reach double figures this term.
His coach, Herbert “Jompano” Maruwa, has also been on his back.
“Reaching double figures will be a good achievement and I know it will also help the team in the long run.
“It’s a long journey and I have to take it step by step, starting with Saturday’s game against Ngezi Platinum Stars,” said Navaya.
Traditional giants Highlanders and CAPS United clash in the Battle of Cities at Barbourfields on Match Day Six, but the TelOne versus Ngezi Platinum Stars match has also been billed as one of the major highlights of the upcoming weekend.
The Wi-Fi Boys have become a tough nut to crack under Maruwa, especially in Gweru, where they have won their last three consecutive league matches.
TelOne edged Ngezi Platinum Stars 1-0 when the two teams clashed in Gweru last October.
Ngezi also fell by a similar score line when they travelled to the Midlands in 2019.
“It’s a tough match indeed, playing against a team that is undefeated but we will do our best to come out with a positive result,” Maruwa, said.
The former Dynamos coach will naturally be banking on Navaya’s goal-scoring form.
“He (Navaya) is part of the team and he is just doing his job,” said Maruwa.
“But, I am very happy he is working extra hard to get the goals.
“I challenged him to reach double figures and I think that’s pushing him to go an extra mile.”
Navaya is in his second stint at TelOne, having played for the Wi-Fi Boys in 2019, when the Midlands side made their Premiership bow.
TelOne were relegated at the end of that season and ex-ZPC Munyati player Navaya moved to Highlanders.
He rejoined TelOne at the beginning of the 2024 season, when the club bounced back into the Premiership and has since become an integral part of the Wi-Fi family.
“Everything has been going on well here in Gweru. I am coping well and everyone has been accommodative,” he said.
Online Reporter