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Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter
NELSON Chadya could become the fourth goalkeeper in the history of the soccer stars awards to win the top gong after putting together a massive show for champions Ngezi Platinum this season.
The Mhondoro team staged a collective effort to win their maiden title after six years of vain attempts.
They were crowned after their final match day against Highlanders at Barbourfields yesterday amid pomp and fanfare having wrapped the title with two games to spare.
The miners didn’t break camp after the celebrations as they recalibrate for their third Chibuku Super Cup final in four years this coming weekend.
They play Dynamos at Baobab as they take aim at underlining their dominance by winning the double.
But for now focus shifts on the nomination of the 11 players who stood head and shoulders above others with 53 journalists, 18 team captains and as many coaches scheduled to vote tomorrow.
They will also nominate the Soccer Star of the Year, the Coach of the Year, Rookie of the Year and the Best Referee for the season who will all be announced at a special banquet on Friday.
This is going to be one of the most challenging year for the selection panel to pick the 11 given that no individuals really illuminated the scene.
The reigning best player of the season Walter Musona failed to pitch up in a year his FC Platinum were a pale shadow of the dominant force that won the championship for the past four terms.
He stands a decent chance though of breaking into the best 11 given that each time he stood up, his team looked threatening.
But the odds on favourite for the big one is Ngezi Platinum goalkeeper Chadya.
He has kept an impressive 18 clean sheets and he could as well retain the Best Goalkeeper accolade which he won last season.
For a team that had youthful players daring to challenge for the title under a youthful coach in Takesure Chiragwi, Chadya was the driver of the orchestra in the field of play.
With his accurate ball distribution and unmatched footwork, the 25-year-old Warriors fringe goalie provided the leadership that inspired the platinum diggers to glory.
There were times when it got tough for Chiragwi’s greenhorns and Chadya would stand up, leading from the back, barking instructions and the team would soldier to positivity at the end.
Even in the change-room, Chadya, who has spent over eight years with the team would some-times be given the floor to speak on technical issues according to his experience and observation.
So vital was the ex-Heartly goalie each member of the team would consult him whenever they needed guidance from a colleague.
And it will not be surprising to see him joining an exclusive company of three goalkeepers to have won the prize on previous occasions.
The accolade is often won by infield players but in 1981, Dynamos legend Japhet “Shortcat” M’parutsa captured the imagination with his leadership qualities and agility between the posts and he deservedly picked the biscuit.
Former CAPS United goalkeeper Energy Murambadoro followed suit in 2003 even without his team winning the league title.
Nine years later, Washington Arubi, who kept the goals for Dynamos with distinction, on their way to the crown was also on the podium becoming the third goalkeeper to win the biggest individual prize on land.
And this could be Chadya’s turn to joining the three goalkeepers.
But he could be rivalled by his own teammates including the Golden Boot winner Takunda Benhura and Qadr Amini who also impressed for Madamburo.
Defenders Kudzai Chigwida and Gareth Madhake gave a good account of themselves and it won’t be surprising to also see them on the calendar.
Manica Diamonds finished second on the log and they were largely driven by midfielders Brett Amidu and Brian Chikwenya.
Should the selectors look into the statistics, the latter could easily find their way onto the season’s best 11.
He has provided 12 assists and two goals for the Jairos Tapera team in a season he was deployed either as a defender or midfielder.
Dynamos, just like last season were in contention for the title throughout the season but at the end only managed to finish third as they didn’t have any outstanding individual to look up to for that magical touch.
Here and there though, Donald Mudadi stood up scoring magnificent goals numbering up to five while providing two assists.
He finished the season as the Glamour Boys’ top scorer and he could be joined by defender Emmanuel Jalai on the calendar should the selectors consider that Dynamos had the best defence in the league.
Although midfielder Tanaka Shandirwa has enjoyed so much hype, his statistics, for a midfielder are too poor, reading just a single assist throughout the season.
For a team that struggled in the league for the past two seasons, Herentals have done so well finishing in the top six and they owe it to Tino Benza who was involved in 16 goals directly after netting six times and contributing 10 assists.
He could be one of the few players to retain a place on the calendar from those who were in the best 11 last year.
His teammate Davison Maruwa could as well be in with a chance after scoring seven times while assisting three times.
Highlanders started brilliantly but fizzled out in the second half of the season but Andrew Mbeba’s 10 assists and three goals can’t go unrecognised.
The Bulawayo Chiefs duo of Obriel Chirinda and Mtokozisi Msebe did well so did Chicken Inn’s Michael Charamba and Malvin Whata.
ZPC Kariba rock defender Boid Mutukure had an outstanding season for the electricity men, weighing in with eight assists that helped Luke Masomere’s team to safety.
Greenfuel’s Washington Mapuwa and Tatenda Gora as well as Hwange’s Brighton Makopa and Godwin Goriati could also be in with a chance.
But there could be no question about the best coach on land as Chiragwi outshone them all although he could find really good competition from Herentals’ Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva, Tapera and Dynamos’ Genesis Mangombe
Online Reporter