Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere, Zimpapers Sports Hub
TONIGHT, Harare hosts the 56th edition of the Soccer Stars of the Year banquet where Zimbabwe will find out who is crowned the country’s best footballer for the 2025 season. The event takes place at a local hotel and brings together players, coaches, captains and journalists who shaped this year’s race.
The biggest questions centre on who takes over from last year’s winner, Walter Musona. Kevin Njabulo Moyo of Scottland, Washington Navaya of TelOne and Emmanuel Jalai of Dynamos, are the leading contenders. The award traces its roots to 1969 when George Shaya became the first winner. Shaya went on to claim five titles and his legacy still anchors what this night represents.
Musona lifted the main award in 2024 after a strong season with Simba Bhora where he scored ten goals. The previous year, he had powered them to the championship. His exit opened the door for a new face this year and the panel spent the season tracking who delivered the biggest impact.
Moyo answered with a full season of 34 league matches at the heart of Scottland’s defence. His combination with Peter Muduhwa steadied the champions in their first campaign in the top flight. Navaya supplied 17 goals for TelOne and walked home with the Golden Boot. His scoring run kept his club in the conversation for a top four finish. Jalai delivered his influence in key moments for Dynamos as he helped them survive on the final day and kept their Chibuku Super Cup streak going with another title.
Highlanders vice captain Andrew Mbeba also enters the mix after a season in which he led from the back and stayed consistent through long stretches. Many fans believe his performances carried the same weight as those of Moyo, Navaya and Jalai.
The panel that selected the 11 Soccer Stars of the Year included journalists, Premier Soccer League coaches and club captains. They also voted for the Coach of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Goalkeeper of the Year. All these awards will be presented tonight.
Scottland, the surprise champions in their debut season, have two stars on the list through Moyo and Tymon Machope. Simba Bhora have three players represented by William Thole, Isheanesu Mauchi and Emmanuel Ziocha.
Last year’s final list included Musona, Chikuhwa, Machope, Khama Billiat, Donovan Bernard, Blessing Moyo, Godknows Murwira, Webster Tafa, Jalai, Kingsley Mureremba and Mauchi.
MWOS coach Lloyd Mutasa and former Scottland mentor Tonderai Ndiraya stand as frontrunners for the Coach of the Year prize after guiding their teams with firm systems that carried them through the season.
Full 2025 Soccer Stars of the Year List
Aboubakar Moffat (MWOS), Billy Veremu (MWOS), Andrew Mbeba (Highlanders), Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos), Emmanuel Ziocha (Simba Bhora), Washington Navaya (TelOne), Kevin Moyo (Scottland), William Thole (Simba Bhora), Jarrison Selemani (FC Platinum), Tymon Machope (Scottland)
—@FungaiMuderere
