Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
AFTER a turbulent Premier Soccer League season with Dynamos in 2024, Tanaka “Kante” Shandirwa crossed the capital’s divide, joining rivals CAPS United this year in a bid to reclaim his mojo.
Throughout a season marked by inconsistency for CAPS United Shandirwa emerged as a reliable presence in their midfield.
Despite frequent suspensions during the campaign, Shandirwa ensured his presence was always felt whenever he stepped onto the pitch, holding forte for Makepekepe.
His showings had many convinced that the 24-year-old central midfielder, once hailed as one of Zimbabwe’s most promising talents, appeared to be regaining the kind of form he had also shown for Yadah Stars.
But for all his rejuvenation, Shandirwa fell foul of the rules and regulations governing the Soccer Stars selection and missed out when the 2025 season’s bet 11 players were picked by a panel of experts.
The Soccer Star awards night will be held on December 5, 2025 in Harare.
And Shandirwa, a 2023 Soccer Star finalist was ruled out of the race for picking 11 yellow cards in the season.
Top on the list of ineligible players was Telone captain Frank Makarati with 13 yellow cards while Tinotenda Mutyambizi of MWOS was ruled out because of his 12 yellow cards and a red.
FC Platinum’s Hagiazo El-Shaddai Magaya and Obriel Chirinda were tied on 10 yellow cards while Butholezwe Ncube anchored the list with nine yellow cards and a red.
“It is heartbreaking to fall out of the race due to yellow card suspensions but I have opted to draw positives from the experience,” said Shandirwa.
“I am taking this as a learning experience, next season I should do better and guard myself from acquiring cards in the best possible manner.
“This means working harder to improve my game and be more clinical on the field of play.” At MWOS, the list of potential candidates for the Soccer Star finalists would have not been complete without the mention of defensive midfielder Mutyambizi.
A dynamic and compact player, Mutyambizi was instrumental in helping the league newcomers secure an impressive second-place finish in their debut season.
Also known as Dhiziri, his controlled aggression and tactical intelligence as he paired with Moffart Abubakar in midfield helped MWOS to a second-place finish on their first date with the Premiership.
However, in a season when the former GreenFuel player was expected to walk down the red carpet at the domestic league’s most prestigious event, he was ruled ineligible to be voted for.
“The development came as an eye opener for me, I will not take it as a heart break though it would have been great to make after such a campaign with MWOS, in their debut season,” Mutyambizi said.
“I have learnt that discipline on the field of play is key and that I should work harder to improve my game so that I do not pick a lot of cards.
