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Mbachi Mutukula-Maregere Sports Reporter
OLD Hararians winger Gardner Nechironga has been struck off the nominees for the Player of the Year category in this year’s Lion Lager Rugby League after being shown a red card during the season.
Only Teddy Hwata of Harare Sports Club and Farai Jijita of Old Georgians will now battle for the prestigious honour.
Nechironga was one of the outstanding players in the just-ended season and his nomination was due reward for his immense contribution to the team.
But his dreams of winning the big award has been shattered because of the red card he received in the match against city rivals Old Georgians.
NRL president Nody Kanyangarara said it was agreed by the clubs that any player who receives a red card or three yellow cards would not be eligible for the award.
“It was an agreement by the clubs that a player who receives a red card or three yellow cards will not be allowed to be among the nominees and that is why Gardner has been removed.
“The nomination process went well this year than the previous season, it had a good response, we liked the criteria we used. The selection was not biased,” said Kanyangarara.
Meanwhile Sportiva’s Hwata, known as “Boxer”, is this years’ Top Points Scorer with 230 points and his teammate Steven Hunduza the Top Try Scorer with 26 tries.
The Most Disciplined Player of the Year award will be a battle that will feature Sports Club centre’s Daniel Hondo, former Sables captain /Old Hararians player Costa Dinha and Old Georgains player/coach Grant Mitchell.
New list NRL Nominees
Player of the Year
Teddy Hwata — Harare Sports Club
Farai Jijita — Old Georgians
Backline Player of the Year
Kuda Chiwanza — Old Georgians
Magunje Gweru — Gweru Sports Club
Teddy Hwata — Harare Sports Club
Forward of the Year
Tawanda Chowe — Old Hararians
Farai Jijita — Old Georgians
Lucky Sithole — Matabeleland Warriors
Rookie of the Year
Walter Gode — Matabeleland Warriors
David Makamba — Harare Sports Club
Josh Mutasa — Harare Sports Club
Most Disciplined — Player of the Year
Daniel Hondo — Harare Sports Club
Costa Dinha — Old Hararians
Grant Mitchel — Old Georgians
NRL Referee of the Year
Scottt Mcdonnel — Mashonaland Rugby Referees Society
Gabriel Masenda — Mashonaland Rugby Referees Society
Simba Danga — Matabeleland Rugby Referees Society
Coach of the Year
Sykes Sibanda — Harare Sports Club
George Mukorera — Western Panthers
Cyprian Mandenge — Old Hararians
Top Try Scorer
Steven Hunduza — Harare Sports Club
Top Points Scorer
Teddy Hwata — Harare Sports Club
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