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Raymond Jaravaza, Sports Correspondent
BANTU Rovers striker Fortune Nkomazana was crowned the Zifa Southern Region Soccer Star of the Year at an awards ceremony held at the Liquor Hub Wholesale on Sunday.

Nkomazana — the reigning champions’ leading top goal scorer with 14 goals — shrugged off competition from teammate Bukhosi Sibanda and Bulawayo Chiefs’ Rainsome Pavari to collect $300 and a shield.

During the course of the 2016 season Nkomazana scooped the top goal scorer of the month award twice.

Sibanda and Pavari were first and second runners-up respectively.

“I could not have won the individual accolades if we were not playing well as a team so the footballer of the year award is dedicated to my teammates and the coaches. Winning the title is far important that any individual accolades that I have won this season,” said Nkomazana.

On an afternoon that Rovers dominated the awards ceremony, their coach Johannes Ngodzo, a former Warriors and Highlanders midfielder, took home the Coach of the Year accolade after he propelled his side to the championship on his first coaching year.

Better known as “Tshisa” or “General”, Ngodzo took home $250.

The Rovers squad was presented with their championship medals and a shield by the guest of honour at the awards ceremony Minister of War Veterans, War Collaborators, Ex-Political Detainees and Restrictees Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube together with Zifa vice-president Omega Sibanda.

The top goal scorer award went to Tashinga Mungadze of Black Boots who netted 15 goals, five better than the 10 goals that were scored by last season’s top marksmen Bekithemba Nyoni and Lenience Mpofu.

Mungadze received $300 courtesy of Nokel Security Company, the sponsors of the monthly top goal awards.

Amagagasi’s Wellington Muuya was voted the goalkeeper of the year and received $50 and a medal.

@RaymondJaravaza