adminDebate has been hot in pubs, homes and work places since the selection of the 11 Soccer Star of the Year finalists at the beginning of last month.
With no scientific measure of brilliance in a country where soccer has been dominated by sympathies of either the North or South, the race still looks an open affair with any of the nominated players having as good a chance as the other 10.
Coaches and journalists selected Denver Mukamba (Dynamos), Ronald Chitiyo (Monomotapa), Partson Jaure (Dynamos), Masimba Mambare (Highlanders), Ronald Chinyengetere (Hwange), Ariel Sibanda (Highlanders), Nelson Maziwisa (Shabanie Mine), Kuda Mahachi (Chicken Inn), Mthulisi Maphosa (Highlanders), Innocent Mapuranga (Highlanders) and Felix Chindungwe (Chicken Inn.)
Twine Phiri, the PSL president, said from the capital yesterday that they were looking forward to a colourful ceremony. He said they were working with the sponsors to ensure a good evening of Zimbabwean soccer where the league champions Dynamos will be honoured with the season’s top players.
Referees and the coach deemed to have excelled will also go to the podium to pick up their dues.
“Everything is going on well. We look forward to a good evening, the PSL and sponsors are liaising with each other towards the day,” said the soft-spoken PSL president.
With Dynamos already decided as championship winners, and votes for the top three set to be counted in the next two days with those of the coach and referee, the million dollar question is who will walk away with the accolade previously won by great players like George Shaya, Peter Ndlovu, Moses Chunga, James Takavada, David Mandigora, Agent Sawu, the late Stanley Ndunduma, Peter Nyama, Mercedes Sibanda and Shaky Tauro?
The front runners, according to the voting pattern of the initial list of 11, are Mukamba, Chitiyo, Jaure and Mambare.
The efforts of Sibanda, Chinyengetere, Mahachi and Maziwisa would not be a surprise if anyone of them sneaked into the top three.
After voting for the initial 11, the selection panel then went for the top three in order of preference.
While Mukamba and Chitiyo polled the most votes with Jaure and Mambare joint third, it is the consistency in the top two votes among the selectors that counts.
Mukamba had another good season for Dynamos. He might not boast the good form of Jaure and Mambare from beginning of the campaign to end, but his magic at the most crucial moments and his 15 cup and league goals, endeared him with fans and the media alike.
Chitiyo who scooped one of the Player of the Month award hugely dominated by Mambare, was in good form in July and his hattrick against Hardbody in Beitbridge in October saw many taking note of his exploits.
Mambare made it happen for Bosso, with goals and assists consistently along the campaign and won three monthly awards and a top goal scorers’ award.
Jaure was undoubtedly Zimbabwe’s best defender for 2012. Plucked back from the Northern Region Division One League, where he was on loan, the young defender played with the aplomb of a seasoned campaigner. He overshadowed veterans David Kutyauripo, Guthrie Zhokinyi, Thomas Magorimbo, Ocean Mushure and George Magariro, and it would not be a surprise among neutrals if he landed on the top three prizes. For a newcomer in the league, his performances went beyond expectations and he deserved caps as he represents the future of Dynamos and the Warriors.
His efforts have not been in vain as he looks set to try his luck in Turkey soon.
Highlanders and Zimbabwe goalkeeper Sibanda defied odds playing 29 games and conceding just 14 goals in a defence that contributed Maphosa and Mapuranga on the Castle Lager calendar. He has improved on aerial balls, communication with his defenders and ball distribution.
Chinyengetere was another of the season’s revelations. He had a good run for Hwange and the Warriors having introduced himself in the Confederation Cup campaign and the 21st February Movement tournament. Injury in August could have cost him votes as he might still have had to convince journalists before he broke his leg, falling victim to a horrific clash with Artwell Mukandi of Monomotapa.
Mapuranga and Maphosa played superbly for championship runners up Bosso but might, like Jaure, lose it in that focus has always been on the forwards who jerk fans out of their seats with goals and lots of trickery on the field.
Maziwisa, Mahachi and Chindungwe could fall victim to the small team tag. They also had good runs for their respective clubs and illuminated many a scene and victory during the Castle Lager campaign.
Zimbabwe waits with bated breath as to who will be the country’s footballer of the year.
Winning or finishing in the top three has opened up new avenues for players like Energy Murambadoro, Joseph Kamwendo, Cephas Chimedza, Evans Chikwaikwai and Clemence Matawu in recent years.
Could Europe or South Africa be the likely destinations for our outstanding players, or we will see them break new ground?
If referees were chosen by journalists Ruzive Ruzive and Hardly Ndazi would be among the favourites. But this year they will be chosen based on match commissioners’ reports despite allegations of favouritism in their ranks where some referees who have messed up matches have been given very high marks.
Categories and awards
Soccer Star of the Year $5 000
First Runner Up $3 000
Second Runner up $2 000
Soccer Stars of the Year Finalists (8) $1 000
Golden Boot $3 000
Goalkeeper of the Year $2 000
Rookie of the Year $2 000
Coach of the Year $2 000
Referee of the Year $2 000
First Runner Up $1 500
Second Up $1 000
Most Disciplined Team $10 000
Online Reporter