Online Reporter
Tendai Chara
Zimpapers Sports hub
NEWLY-crowned Northern Region Soccer League champions Agama and second-placed N’ombeyawora have naturally provided the highest number of players that were nominated for selection into the NRSL 2025 Team of the Year.
Both teams have six players on the nomination list, which was announced by the NRSL.
The champions, who are based in Mt Darwin, have Grey Kufandada, the winner of the NRSL Golden Boot award, on the 19-man-provisional list.
Wilson Brown, the Agama goalkeeper, who made a series of stunning saves that significantly contributed to the team’s success is deservedly on the list.
Kufandada’s striking partner and a veteran of the Division One championship battles Tinashe Balakasi has also been nominated.
Balakasi who won the NRSL championship title with Simba Bhora before moving for a brief stint in Botswana, Balakasi chipped in with 15 goals in Agama’s title march.
His teammates — Alec Chiombe, Christopher Petros and Allex Zimunhu are also on the shortlist, amid speculation that the Mt Darwin side will now provide the Soccer Star.
League runners-up N’ombeyawora also have six players on the list namely Maclive Phiri, Junior Meya, Emmanuel Zinyama, Praise Tonha and the deadly striking combination of Tadiwa Chibunyu and Russell Chifura.
Third-placed Golden Eagles who put in a decent shift this season, have Danny Millias, midfielder Munyaradzi Mushanga and striker Trevor Bhunu on the list.
Bhunu has previously featured on the calendar, having made it to the 2024 NRSL Soccer Stars of the Year team.
Chinhoyi Rangers left-back Ashin Chihowa, Chegutu Pirates’ Gift Mwinga and Harare City’s Marlon Maziriri are some of the players that were nominated.
MWOS U-19’s Brandon Mpofu and Black Rhinos’ Ignatius Mavende are also candidates.
Paul “Popopo” Chimalizeni. The Agama coach was not surprised by the inclusion of the six players on the list.
“This was our year . . . there is no doubt about it. We played well collectively, hence the high number,” Chimalizeni said.
