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Elvis Chipezeze

Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
THERE will not be any change in the selection criteria of this year’s Soccer Stars of the Year finalists according to the convener of selectors, Steve Vickers.

The stars selection process takes place in the capital on Tuesday morning and a panel made up of journalists, 18 club captains and coaches will choose the country’s top 11 players, Rookie of the Year as well as the Coach of the Year.

“The selection criteria remains the same as that of last year. A player who accumulates 10 points which is basically 10 yellow cards or five red cards is ruled out,” said Vickers. Players who also have been found guilty by the disciplinary committee will not be considered for selection.

Like last year, voting will be done electronically and in line with the trend on the international stage, the panelists’ choices will be made public.

Players that are likely to make the final list include the likes of Chicken Inn skipper Moses Jackson who has led from the front often coming up with crucial goals for the Rahman Gumbo-coached GameCocks. Innocent Muchaneka has also had a brilliant season for Chicken Inn so did the goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze. Championship favourites, FC Platinum are almost certain to provide the usually underrated but highly effective defender Kevin Moyo, midfield maestro Winston Mhango while another hardman Gerald Takwara could also find his way on the calendar.

Harare giants Dynamos are certain to have their skipper Ocean Mushure and Cameroonian talisman Christian Epoupa. Golden Boot winner Dominic Chungwa  of Caps United is a certainty on the calendar so does his teammate Devon Chafa.

Ocean Mushure

Ngezi Platinum are likely to have Terrence Dzvukamanja and Tichaona Mamvura while army side Black Rhinos’ Lot Chiungwa also had a brilliant season.

Bulawayo giants Highlanders could have Simon Munawa while relegated Bantu Rovers’ former skipper Bukhosi Sibanda deserves to be on the calendar as well.

Other players to be considered include Bulawayo City skipper Zibusiso Sibanda, Tendai Ndlovu of Highlanders, How Mine’s Makundika Sakala.

For the Coach of Year, it might be a battle between Dynamos’ Lloyd Mutasa and Norman Mapeza of FC Platinum.

Mutasa is credited with changing ordinary players into championship material while Mapeza is on the verge of becoming the first coach to win two league titles with two different local clubs. — @skhumoyo2000