It’s king Denver Mukamba!The Dynamos midfielder was last night named the 2012 Castle Lager Soccer Star of the Year to cap a fine season after winning yet another league and cup double while his coach Kalisto Pasuwa was named the Coach of the Year.
REPORT BY WELLINGTON TONI SPORTS EDITOR
Highlanders’ Masimba Mambare was the second runner-up while Monomotapa’s Ronald Chitiyo took third place. Mukamba walked away with $5 000 while his two runners-up received $3 000 and $2 000 respectively.
Mukamba’s rich pickings reached $11 500 last night after he picked up another $6 500 from the Dynamos awards two weeks ago. He was the named the club’s Player of the Year and top goalscorer.
In the second half of the season, after failing to make headway in South Africa, Mukamba turned on the heat as Dynamos eyed top spot and ensured that the Harare giants stayed there until the last day.
He scored when it mattered most, dazzled the fans at Rufaro with deft touches and forced his way into the Warriors squad. If he fails to make it at Bidvest Wits this time around, he will be the key player in Dynamos’ 2013 Caf Champions League campaign.
For Mambare, a total of $8 000 after he also won the Highlanders Player of the Year last week worth $5 000 is not too bad either, and neither is $2 000 for the third best player of the season, Chitiyo.
Underrated by most, but loved by a glut of fair-minded journalists across the country, Chitiyo was simply a marvel to watch at Monomotapa as the club, champions in 2008, showed so much promise to end with some silverware, but eventually finished empty-handed.
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Monoz were the only team to beat Highlanders this season, not once, but twice, and also reached the Mbada Diamonds Cup final where they wilted against Dynamos. Monomotapa received $10 000 for being the most disciplined team in the league.
The eight finalists received $1 000 each.
There was no doubt that Pasuwa — the double “double” Dynamos winning coach — would be crowned the Coach of the Year after a good season in which his side won the Charity Shield, the Mbada Diamonds Cup and the league title.
They were the only other club to win any medal after FC Platinum bagged the Bob88 Super Cup and the Independence Trophy. For his efforts, Pasuwa received $2 000 after being beaten to the top prize by Hwange’s Tennant Chilumba last season.
Pasuwa gave Tawanda Muparati a more prominent “Makelele role”, and in turn he harassed midfielders at will, feeding the balls to the attacking wingers, who in turn fed Simba Sithole and Rodreck Mutuma to do the rest. Pasuwa gave Zimbabwe Patson Jaure — one steady defender destined for greater heights if he does not let the media play the game for him.
After 18 goals for Shabanie Mine, Nelson Mazivisa ($3 000 rich) was four better than last year’s winner Mutuma, but the PSL is not convinced strikers are putting much effort in front of goal.
To this end, the league will suggest to sponsors that rewards should be given to those who reach 20 goals or an agreed number and anything above that will attract a bonus.
Fair deal, hey! Arial Sibanda took over as Highlanders number one in style — letting in only 14 goals from 29 matches, in the process earning two caps with the Warriors. Sibanda, who took home $2 000, also won four Goalkeeper of the Month awards. He crowned a memorable year by bagging the Goalkeeper of the Year award last night.
Chicken Inn’s Kuda Mahachi was largely uncontested in the Under-20 category and his stock seems to be taking him to Caps United next season.
The centre man has always been a problem, but someone had to be rewarded last night, a case of rewarding mediocrity and names and not performance. Ruzive Ruzive scooped the top award, but his performances really were not up to scratch. Thomas Kusosa was the second best while Brighton Nyika came third.
Winners Soccer Star of the Year – Denver Mukamba – $5 000 First Runner-up – Masimba Mambare – $3 000 Second Runner-up – Ronald Chitiyo – $2 000 Eight finalists ($1 000 each)- Arial Sibanda, Innocent Mapuranga, Mthulisi Maphosa (Highlanders) Partson Jaure (Dynamos); Nelson Mazivisa (Shabanie Mine); Felix Chindungwe, Kudakwashe Mahachi (Chicken Inn); Rodwell Chinyengetere (Hwange). Golden Boot-Nelson Mazivisa (Shabanie Mine) – $3 000 Coach of the Year – Kalisto Pasuwa (Dynamos) – $2 000 Goalkeeper of the Year-Arial Sibanda (Highlanders) – $2 000 Most Promising Player – Kuda Mahachi (Chicken Inn) – $2 000 Most Disciplined Team – Monomotapa – $10 000 Referee of the Year – Ruzive Ruzive $2 000 First Runner-up – Thomas Kusosa $1 500 Second Runner-up – Brighton Nyika – $1 000
