TWO IN A ROW FOR SOCCER STARS TRIO

Langton Nyakwenda

Zimpapers Sports Hub

ONLY three players — Emmanuel Jalai, Tymon Machope and Isheanesu Mauchi- retained their places on the popular 2025 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League calendar, after a tight poll conducted virtually yesterday.

A selection panel of journalists, Premiership club coaches and captains chose the best 11 players for the just-ended season with Dynamos captain Jalai, Scottland striker Machope and Simba Bhora defender Mauchi finding their places on the calendar for the second successive year.

Jalai’s exploits, as he led from the front in a year in which Dynamos faced the grim prospects of relegation, found the diminutive Warriors international finding his place on the calendar. Dynamos needed to avoid defeat in their final league match of 2025 and a 0-0 draw against FC Platinum at Rufaro was greeted with huge relief by the Harare giants faithful and Jalai was their most consistent player in their survival battle.

Machope, a championship winner with Simba Bhora last year, led the line for Scottland as they won the Premiership on debut, with the rangy forward banging in 16 goals.

He was just a goal shy of the Golden Boot award, won by TelOne’s Washington Navaya.

Machope first made it on the Stars calendar at Simba Bhora and now bounced back in the colours of Scottland.

But, it was Jalai who carried more responsibility for Dynamos.

“It’s a huge honour to make it two times in a row, especially looking at how tough this year has been for us as a club.

“Thanks to Allah for making it possible,” said Jalai, a devout Muslim.

Dynamos finished the season with 39 points, just two points clear of the drop zone that saw Bikita Minerals and Yadah relegation in zone.

They drew 0-0 against FC Platinum at Rufaro on Sunday, to take their season points tally to 39.

“It wasn’t easy and I never thought one day I was going to fight relegation whilst playing for Dynamos but it’s football here we are now,” added Jalai.

While it was two in a row for Jalai, Machope and Mauchi, it was the first time for players like the MWOS duo of Abubakar Moffat and Billy Veremu as well as Washington Navaya of TelOne.

Simba Bhora keeper William Thole became the first foreign goalie in years to make it onto the calendar.

The Malawi international kept 17 clean sheets and is a huge favourite for Golden Glove.

“I am on cloud nine,” the Malawian keeper told Zimpapers Sports Hub.

“Credit goes to my teammates, without them all this would not have been possible.

“To the people of Shamva I want to say thank you for the support.

“Thank you for making me feel at home,” added Thole. Scottland defender Kevin Moyo featured in all of Mabviravira’s 34 league matches.

He was duly rewarded with a place on the calendar, for the third time in his career.

He was the first runner up in 2017 after starring for FC Platinum who had won their maiden league championship.

The following year, Moyo was the second runner up. “It’s an honour and privilege to be among the best.

“I am very proud of myself, I worked hard this season and all the glory goes to the Almighty for being with me,” said Moyo.

The former Bulawayo Chiefs and Dynamos defender is one of the favourites for the 2025 Soccer Star of the Year gong alongside the league’s top scorer Navaya and Simba Bhora linkman Emmanuel Ziocha.

“The people of Mutapa in Gweru are very happy,” revealed Navaya, who was bred in the Midlands capital.

“It has been a wonderful season and I am very thankful.” Navaya won the Golden Boot after scoring 17 times for TelOne.

He also made his national team debut early this month.

There was however, no third successive appearance for Walter Musona who had won the top gong when featuring on the calendar as a FC Platinum and Simba Bhora skipper on the bounce.

Soccer Stars list:

Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos), Tymon Machope (Scottland), Andrew Mbeba (Highlanders), Abubakar Moffat (MWOS), Kevin Moyo (Scottland), Washington Navaya (TelOne), Jarrison Selemani (FC Platinum), William Thole (Simba Bhora), Isheanesu Mauchi (Simba Bhora), Billy Veremu (MWOS), Emmanuel Ziocha (Simba Bhora)