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Fungai Muderere, [email protected]

Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions Simba Bhora have underlined their sweet season by providing five players on the 2024 Soccer Stars of the Year calendar.

The 11 soccer stars were selected by a panel of journalists, coaches and captains yesterday.

The selection panel also picked the Soccer Star of the Year, his two runners-up, Coach of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year as well as the Most Promising Player under the age of 20 who will all be announced at a banquet in Harare next Friday.

Fans were also due to vote for a player whom they think was the best amongst the Premiership lot and again, he will be paraded and honoured at the same function next week.

Donovan Bernard

There were no major surprises in the Best 11 as picked by the selectors although some felt that there were players who made it ahead of those whom they thought deserved to be there.

And the football gods smiled on newly crowned league champions Simba Bhora.

The Tonderai Ndiraya-mentored side provided captain Walter Musona, Isheanesu Mauchi, Blessing Moyo, Tymon Machope and Webster Tafa.

Khama Billiat, who returned home from South Africa to sign for Yadah Stars this year after a decade-and-half at Super Diski, is among the 11 soccer stars, while Highlanders’ golden boot winner Lynoth “Sonjy” Chikuhwa also made the list.

Lynoth Chikuhwa

CAPS United have two players — Godknows Murwira and Kingsley Mureremba.

Chicken Inn goalkeeper Donovan Bernard, who had the most clean sheets (20) in the season and Dynamos defender Emmanuel Jalai complete the list.

Soccer Star of the Year, his two runners-up, Coach of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year as well as the Most Promising Player under the age of 20 will also be voted in, but their names will only be revealed at a banquet to be held in Harare on December 6.

Last year, Ngezi Platinum Stars captain Qadr Amini was crowned Soccer Star of the Year.

The 33-year-old former Zimbabwe international pocketed US$7 500 for winning the Soccer Star of the Year award. Dynamos midfielder Donald Mudadi, who finished as the first runner-up, received US$4 500, and ex-Bulawayo Chiefs striker Obriel Chirinda, who was the second runner-up walked away with US$3 750.

Ngezi Platinum Stars coach Takesure Chiragwi, received the Coach of the Year award, for the first time.

Takesure Chiragwi

Takunda Benhura won the Top Goal Scorer award after scoring 13 goals in his first full season. He received US$6  375.

Ngezi Platinum Stars were also presented with the league trophy by the guest of honour, the Deputy Minister of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Emily Jesaya. For the second year running, they were also named the Most Disciplined Team of the Year.

Dynamos youngster Elton Chikona, was voted the Most Promising Player of the Year.

Herentals forward Tinotenda Benza, for the second year running, was the Fans’ Favourite. Brighton Chimene won the Referee of the Year for the third time, having previously won it in 2016 and 2019.

Meanwhile, Chikuhwa and Ngezi Platinum coach Chiragwi have been named the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Player and Coach of the Month for November, respectively.

Chikuhwa had a stellar month, scoring five goals, including a hat-trick against GreenFuel at Barbourfields Stadium. His other goals came against Hwange and Yadah Stars. These five goals propelled Chikuhwa to the 2024 Golden Boot accolade with 17 goals.

Chiragwi, on the other hand, had an impressive run with Ngezi Platinum, winning three and drawing two of the five matches his team played in November.

The team finished the season in third place, nine points behind new champions Simba Bhora.

2024 PSL Soccer Stars List
Donovan Bernard (Chicken Inn), Lynoth Chikuhwa (Highlanders), Khama Billiat (Yadah), Walter Musona (Simba Bhora) , Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos), Isheanesu Mauchi (Simba Bhora), Tymon Machope (Simba Bhora), Blessing Moyo (Simba Bhora), Godknows Murwira (CAPS United), Kingsley Mureremba (CAPS United), Webster Tafa (Simba Bhora)-@FungaiMuderere