Washington Navaya was last night crowned the Soccer Star of the Year, snatching the domestic football's most coveted individual prize from heavy favorites at a glittering ceremony held in Harare.
The TelOne striker became the 54th recipient of the prestigious award, beating Scottland defender Kelvin Moyo, who was named the first runner-up, and Simba Bhora midfielder Emmanuel Ziocha, who finished third.
While Navaya enjoyed an outstanding season, netting 17 goals to secure the Golden Boot award and helping his team to a 5th place finish, he was widely considered a rank outsider for the top honor.
The atmosphere in the room, when his name was announced the winner, was one of hushed, collective shock.
As the ceremony headed into the announcement of the top three, the prevailing wisdom suggested the battle was between Ziocha, whose creative spark powered Simba Bhora to third place, and Scottland captain Moyo, the odds-on favorite.
Moyo had been the bedrock of a defense that anchored his side’s historic league title win in their maiden top-flight season.
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Dynamos captain Emmanuel Jalai, who had masterminded his side's miraculous relegation survival and earlier picked up the Fans' Choice Player of the Year award, was considered the dark horse.
When Ziocha's name was called out in third place, the belief solidified that it was now a straight fight between Moyo and Jalai.
The subsequent announcement of Moyo’s name as the First Runner-Up saw a wave of anguish washing over the Scottland camp.
Club president Scott Sakupwanya and his entourage were visibly crestfallen, their faces etched with disappointment.
They believed their defensive rock deserved nothing less than the top prize.
The immediate reaction from the neighboring Dynamos officials, led by owner Bernard Marriot, was a sudden, roaring burst of celebration.
In their premature celebrations, they thought that Jalai had clinched the ultimate honor.
The room, largely, agreed with their assumption.
Then came the hammer blow that nobody saw coming.
"The Soccer Star of the Year is... Washington Navaya!"
The room dissolved into shock, a moment of collective disbelief.
Only the TelOne contingent, led by a euphoric chairman Oscar Nduwure and coach Hebert Maruwa, defied the surprise, erupting in pandemonium.
As Navaya himself, his face a mask of utter astonishment, made his way to the stage, the rest of the room finally rose to give a respectful, yet noticeably subdued ovation.
Clutching the towering trophy, the stunned striker could only manage a few shaky words, thanking his club and teammates for helping him achieve the greatness.
Later, recovering his composure, Navaya confessed to journalists that the result had defied his own expectation.
“I had a good season, scoring goals that helped my team. But to be honest, I thought I would finish as either first or second runners-up," he admitted.
"Thankfully, I managed to win it. This is a proud moment for my family, my team, and the Gweru community.”
While Navaya owned the night, it was also a day of recognition for other outstanding performers as well.
Scottland coach Tonderai Ndiraya secured the Coach of the Year award, a feat made legendary by winning the title for two consecutive seasons with two different clubs.
Simba Bhora’s Malawi international goalkeeper William Thole was named Goalkeeper of the Year after keeping a staggering 17 clean sheets while Africa Cup of Nations bound referee Brighton Chimene retained the Referee of The Year award, beating Francis Chirwa who came second and Tafadzwa Nkala on third.
Mafious Chihweta scooped the Rookie of the Year award to ensure another accolade found its way to Scottland.
Relegated Bikita Minerals received a deserving consolation prize when they were awarded the Most Disciplined Team of the Year.
Navaya’s crown will be debated for months, if not years to come, but for one spectacular night, the outsider conquered, delivering a story that will be etched in the annals of domestic football history.
Soccer Stars of the Year XI finalists: Washington Navaya (TelOne), Kelvin Moyo (Scottland), Emmanuel Ziocha (Simba Bhora), Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos), Tymon Machope (Scottland), Ishe Mauchi, William Thole (Simba Bhora), Andrew Mbeba (Highlanders), Abubakar Moffat, Billy Veremu (Mwos), Jarrison Selemani (Fc Platinum).