It is that time of the year once again when Zimbabwean football’s biggest secrets are finally unveiled. Tonight, the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League will crown its finest performers at a glittering Soccer Star Awards gala, bringing months of speculation to an exciting end.
Organisers have confirmed that all preparations are complete for what has become one of the most prestigious and glamorous nights on the domestic football calendar. The event will bring together league sponsors, coaches, club captains, administrators and journalists for an evening that traditionally celebrates excellence, discipline and talent in the country’s top-flight league.
This year’s 11 Soccer Stars of the Year finalists selected by a panel of coaches, captains and sports journalists will be officially honoured for lighting up the 18-team league with unforgettable performances. The same adjudicating panel has also chosen the Coach of the Year and completed the calendar last week.
While the finalists are already known, the biggest awards remain tightly guarded. The identities of the Soccer Star of the Year, first and second runners-up, Coach of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year and Most Promising Under-20 player have been kept so secret that even social media speculation has failed to crack the code. Delta Beverages and the PSL have insisted that no leak will spoil tonight’s suspense.
One man whose destiny is already confirmed is TelOne striker Washington Navaya, who will take to the podium to receive the Golden Boot Award. Navaya finished the season with 17 goals after a fierce battle with Scottland’s Tymon Machope, who ended the campaign on 16 goals and also made it into the top 11.
Malawian shot-stopper William Thole, the Simba Bhora goalkeeper who helped his side clinch the 2024 Premiership title, is the only goalie in the top 11. While this makes him a strong contender for the Goalkeeper of the Year award, pundits warn that surprises cannot be ruled out. Other names in the conversation include Scottland’s Nelson Chadya, Dynamos’ Prince Tafiremutsa, MWOS goalkeeper Martin Mapisa, and Triangle’s Takudzwa Chikosi.
But all eyes will undoubtedly be on the biggest prize—Soccer Star of the Year. Names such as Scottland defender Kevin Moyo, Dynamos captain Emmanuel Jalai, FC Platinum’s Jarrison Selemani, Navaya and Simba Bhora’s Emmanuel Ziocha have dominated debate among fans and analysts.
Jalai, who returns to the Soccer Stars list for the second consecutive year, is also heavily tipped to claim the People’s Choice award, which was determined through public voting. He joins Simba Bhora’s Isheanesu Mauchi and Machope as repeat finalists.
The full list of the Soccer Stars finalists includes:
Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos), Tymon Machope (Scottland), Andrew Mbeba (Highlanders), Abubakar Moffat (MWOS), Kevin Moyo (Scottland), Washington Navaya (TelOne), Jarrison Selemani (FC Platinum), William Thole (Simba Bhora), Isheanesu Mauchi (Simba Bhora), Billy Veremu (MWOS), Emmanuel Ziocha (Simba Bhora).
As the nation waits with bated breath, tonight’s gala promises suspense, celebration and the crowning of Zimbabwe’s finest football heroes.
