Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO Chiefs’ attacking midfielder Ishmael Wadi yesterday won the Southern Region Soccer League’s Soccer Star of the Year award, shrugging off competition from Bulawayo City’s captain Xolisani ‘Scara’ Moyo and Bekithemba Nyoni of Technosphere. Wadi had a great season at Chiefs, a side he joined at the beginning of the year from Harare police side Black Mambas.
His ability to take on defenders and score crucial goals for Chiefs, who were beaten to the championship by Bulawayo City, saw him attract mid-season interest from Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions Chicken Inn and Highlanders.
Wadi’s intended move to Bosso collapsed at the 11th hour following Highlanders’ failure to honour their side of the deal that would have seen the Bulawayo giants loaning players to Chiefs. For winning the accolade, Wadi took home a trophy and $300.
“I’m happy that my hard work has been recognised. It was a tough season and credit goes to my teammates, the technical staff at Chiefs and the club’s director (Lovemore Sibanda) who made my stay in Bulawayo pleasant. I’m looking forward to a more challenging 2016 season,” said Wadi.
The player, who was a marvel for Chiefs, is likely to join a PSL club next season.
“We’ll not stand in his way should there be meaningful offers coming for his services. Wadi is a good player and for him to win this award speaks volumes about his capabilities. Now we’re preparing for life without him because there are clubs that have shown interest in his services. What’s key is that whichever team he joins must take care of his welfare,” said Sibanda.
PSL bound City had three players Moyo, midfielder Innocent “Joker” Kutsanzira and striker Qinani “Chroma” Sibanda making it into the region’s best 11. Moyo was runner-up to Wadi and took home $200 while Nyoni of Technosphere got $150 for being the third best player from the Southern Region Soccer League.
The other players that made it into the Southern Region’s Soccer Stars calendar are Kelvin Nyoni of Technosphere, Nust’s Moodley Njeleza, Bantu Rovers and national Under-20 striker Bukhosi “Zakhu” Sibanda, the ZPC Hwange duo of Peter Gani and Garikai Siangoma as well as Bantu Rovers’ striker Lenience “Qobho” Mpofu.
City’s gaffer Philani “Beefy” Ncube was presented with a Coach of the Year award which had $200 prize money. Bekithemba Nyoni added $100 to his purse after sharing the Top Goal Scorer of the season accolade with Bantu Rovers’ Lenience “Qobho” Mpofu. The two had 10 goals apiece.
Nokel Security sponsored the leading scorer’s gong while Bulawayo businessman and philanthropist Raj Modi funded the stars’ awards. Zifa Southern Region board member Jabulani Chinyangarara thanked Modi and Kenneth Mhlophe of Nokel Security for supporting the league.
“We’ve good partners in Modi and Mhlophe. We hope this relationship will continue as we forge ahead with our efforts to develop the sport in the region. Modi through his Liquor Hub sponsored the stars and coach’s awards while Mhlophe, whose Nokel Security has been funding the monthly Top Scorer’s accolade, is the benefactor for the overall Top Goal Scorer,” said Chinyangarara.
The monthly award that was being sponsored by Nokel Security had $150 prize money. James Chivasa of Ntabazinduna won the first prize in April.
Chivasa then shared the May award with Lungile Nyathi of Amagagasi, Collen Tshuma Indlovu Iyanyathela and ZPC Kariba’s Admire Banda after scoring four goals each. Bulawayo Chiefs’ Kundishora Chakanyuka landed the accolade after netting three goals in June.
Three players, Bekithemba Nyoni of Technosphere and Bantu Rovers’ duo of Lenience Mpofu and Bukhosi Sibanda shared the July award with the trio of Thabani Moyo (Bulawayo Chiefs), Alfred Mehlomakhulu (Indlovu Iyanyathela) and Nust’s Taluso Ndlovu sharing the August accolade.
Manyando Zulu of Technosphere became the league’s 12th player to win the monthly award in September.
2015 Soccer Stars of the Year: Ishmael Wadi (Bulawayo Chiefs), Xolisani Moyo (Bulawayo City), Bekithemba Nyoni (Technosphere), Innocent Kutsanzira, Qinani Sibanda (Bulawayo City), Kelvin Nyoni (Technosphere), Moodley Njeleza (Nust), Bukhosi Sibanda, Lenience Mpofu (Bantu Rovers), Peter Gani, Garikai Siangoma (ZPC Hwange)
Top Goal Scorers (10 Goals): Lenience Mpofu (Bantu Rovers) and Bekithemba Nyoni (Technosphere)
Coach of the Year: Philani Ncube (Bulawayo City)