20 December 2008
ZIMBABWE'S top footballer for the 2008 season will be announced at a special banquet set for a Harare hotel on Tuesday evening, organisers of the country's most prestigious individual soccer awards have said.
The Sports Writers Association of Zimbabwe (SWAZ), which has been running the annual award since 1969, had initially wanted to unveil the winner and his two runners-up last week but rescheduled the ceremony due to the late conclusion of the Premier Soccer League season, whose fixtures have been derailed by the national team's international commitments.
The Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe, which also sponsors the Premier Soccer League championship, bankrolls the Soccer Stars of the Year awards together with those for coach and referee of the year.
The sponsors would also want to handover various prizes to clubs according to their placing on the league table, as well as such individual awards as the Golden Boot, at the same banquet, hence the timing of the event which comes just two days before Christmas.
"The function to announce the Soccer Star of the Year, as well as referee and coach of the year will be held in Harare on 23 December. The banquet had to be rescheduled due to the late conclusion of the PSL programme," SWAZ interim chairman Goodwill Zunidza told Standardsport last week.
But Zunidza would not be drawn into speaking of the various prizes up for grabs, as these are kept a secret until the night of the banquet.
Dynamos striker Murape Murape was crowned 2007 soccer star of the year, walking away with a billion dollars plus a refrigerator. Team-mate Justice Majabvi was second runner-up, while Highlanders' Obadiah Tarumbwa was the first runner-up.
Tarumbwa received $750 million plus a four-plate stove, while Majabvi took home $500million and a microwave. Dynamos coach David Mandigora took the coaching award, which came with $800million and a home theatre.
Meanwhile, Caps United legend Shacky Tauro has been proposed by SWAZ to be the special guest at this year's awards to be held at the Meikles Hotel. The former Caps United hitman, who claimed the gong after shooting the Manchester Road boys to their first Super League title in 1979 (later re-branded the Premier Soccer League in 1992), is expected to grace the occasion alongside officials from all 16 PSL clubs, and other invited guests.
SWAZ has already announced names of the 11 finalists for the top award, with the ultimate winner and his two runners-up being kept a secret until the awards night.
Soccer Stars 2008 finalists
Willard Manyatera, Justice Majabvi, Edward Sadomba (Dynamos), Mthulisi Maphosa, Daniel Zokoto, Godfrey Mangove (Monomotapa), Evans Chikwaikwai (Njube Sundowns), Pride Tafirenyika (Shooting Stars), Zhaimu Jambo (Gunners), Cuthbert Malajila (Highlanders), Method Mwanjali (Caps United).
Recent Soccer Star of the Year winners
1990 George Nechironga (CAPS United); 1991 Peter Ndlovu (Highlanders); 1992 Wilfred Mugeyi (Black Aces); 1993 Agent Sawu (Zimbabwe Saints); 1994 Memory Mucherahowa (Dynamos); 1995 Tauya Murewa (Dynamos); 1996 Stewart Murisa (CAPS United); 1997 Walter Chuma (Wankie); 2000 Zenzo Moyo (Highlanders); 2001 Maxwell Dube (Chapungu United); 002 Dazzy Kapenya (Highlanders); 2003 Energy Murambadoro (CAPS United); 004 Cephas Chimedza (CAPS United); 2005 Joseph Kamwendo [Malawi] (CAPS United); 2006 Clemence Matawu (Motor Action); 2007 Murape Murape (Dynamos).
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