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Mukudzei Chingwere
ARMY side Craneborne Bullets’ teenage sensation, Kelvin Chibunyu, had a night to savour last Friday after he was crowned the Ruyamuro Northern Region Division One 2019 Soccer of Star of the Year 2019 at a colourful ceremony in Harare.
The 19-year-old midfielder has charmed many coaches playing behind the main striker and was the creative hub that helped power Bullets into the Premiership.
Chibunyu was handed a Nissan Tida sedan by Ruyamuro Holdings for being Soccer Star while it was revealed that Warriors coach Zdravko Logarusic, who was present at the function has also included him in his enlarged CHAN squad.
It was double joy for Bullets as their gaffer Nesbert “Yabo’’ Saruchera also drove away with a Toyota Corolla for being voted the Coach of the Year.
A sombre mood, however, engulfed the start of the function as guests at the function joined the Northern Region in remembering and paying special tribute to their late chairman Willard Manyengavana.
Manyengavana pioneered the move to reward the league’s best player with a car and on Friday night his successor Martin Kweza and his board went a gear up and secured sponsorship for another car for the best coach.
The winners were also immaculately dressed in designer suits by a top Harare clothing supplier 4 May.
The clothing supplier has also been dressing the Warriors with top players including Khama Billiat and Knowledge Musona featuring on their advertising billboards.
There were also awards for the league’s top scorer with 20 goals Leeroy Ndlovu, who is now with Chicken Inn and was the first runner-up, while Malvern Hwata was the second runner-up.
For Chibunyu, winning the Soccer Star and a maiden call-up to the national team have been fruits of hard work.
“I am happy to win this award after so much hard work I have been putting.
“I put in extra work after our training sessions and that has helped me improve my game, we will be playing in the Premier League this season and we expect to continue on the same path.
“I am happy that I will be part of the CHAN squad, what I can promise supporters is that I will work hard to go to the finals and also help my country do well.
“As players we want to use the platform to market ourselves abroad as well as to make our country proud,” he said.
“I am happy I have won the car and I want to thank the sponsors for the gesture. For now, I do not have a driver’s licence and my brother-in- law, my sister’s husband will drive me around.”
His coach Saruchera spoke highly of the teenager’s abilities.
“He is a good player and I do not think he will have a problem in making it into the CHAN squad.
“These days it is difficult to get player who is comfortable playing behind the striker, creating chances and opening up the backline but he is that kind of player and if he remains disciplined like he is, his future bright,” said Saruchera.
Saruchera also walked away with another award which he jointly won with Bigboy Mawiwi. The pair was given a Special Recognition award for being the only coaches to win the Northern Region championship on three different occasions.
“This was the sweetest victory of them all because of the support I enjoyed from the command element and everyone involved with the club,” said Saruchera.
“I will miss the Northern Region, they have a professional and competent administration team but I do not want to come back because I want my team to continue playing in the Premier League.”
The Northern Region have bene setting trends for ZIFA’s affiliates with the manner they have tried to match international best practices in the manner they run their league.
They also honoured 10 journalists from the print and electronic media “who through their work have contributed to the development of football in the region and provided checks and balances with their coverage’’.
Online Reporter