adminSikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
CASTLE Lager Premier Soccer League side Tsholotsho FC will today hold an awards event aimed at rewarding their players for surviving relegation right at the end of the season. Iziqholo zeZhwane engineered a great escape from relegation after holding highly fancied Harare City to a one all draw in a pulsating encounter on the last day of the season at White City Stadium. Their relegation rivals Buffaloes lost 0-1 to Dynamos to bow out of the elite league.
Tsholotsho secretary-general Melody Ndlovu said they had lined up six individual awards for the ceremony to be held at Tsholotsho High School. “It’s all set for our awards as we reward our players for the tenacity they displayed to stay in the topflight by defying all odds.
“We’ll have six individual awards,” said Ndlovu. The players to be honoured include the top goal scorer Lynos Chikuwa, who ended the season with four goals, Most Disciplined Player, Most Improved Player, Goal of the Year, Players’ Player of the Year and the Player of the Year.
Goalkeeper Nickel Marichi is likely to win the goal of the year award after his wonder goal in their 2-1 win over How Mine ensured that they collected maximum points.
Mariachi scored directly from inside his box, catching the How Mine goalie way off his goal line. Skipper William Stima is also in line for an award, which is likely to be either the Player of the Year or Players’ Player of the Year. His central defence partner Thandolwenkosi Ncube is also a strong contender for the two awards.
Having survived relegation on the last day of the season, Tsholotsho are expected to put up a better fight next year, having learnt the ropes as well as all the dos and don’ts of the Premiership. Coach Lizwe Sweswe has already indicated that he would beef up his goalkeeping department and perhaps add one or two infield players.
He believes the majority of his players have gained enough experience to withstand the rigorous demands of the topflight league.
Assistant coach Bongani Mafu, whose contract ended on the last match day of the season, is likely to extend his stay with Iziqholo zeZhwane.
Online Reporter