FC Platinum forward Walter Musona and Caps United marksman William Manondo have been tipped to tussle it for the Soccer Star of the Year award this season following impressive performances.
However, the duo will settle the Golden Boot question this weekend.
Manondo has bagged 16 goals thus far with one game against bitter city rivals Dynamos on Sunday remaining. He will be looking to add more goals to his tally as Caps United also aim to end the season with a win.
Musona on his part has scored 13 goals, three behind his rival and as his side host Cranborne Bullets, a lot is expected in FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza has demanded a big victory from his charges who are set to receive their league trophy after the match.
FC Platinum won the league title for the fourth time on the trot with three games to spare and will be handed the medal at their home turf. It is an interesting duel between the two protagonist who are also vying for the overall Soccer Star of the Year award. While several names have popped up in the public discourse over the potential winner of the prestigious award, Mafu — a former assistant coach to Benjani Mwaruwari at Ngezi Platinum — strongly believes the award is a toss -up between Monad and Musona.
A panel of coaches, football writers and team captains are expected to come up with the outstanding 11 players of the season and the overall winner of the award.
Mafu said among those likely to make it onto the calendar are Highlanders’ Divine Mhindirira, WhaWha’s Calum English-Brown, Blessing Majarira of Herentals, Black Rhinos’ Eli Ilunga, Bulawayo City’s Melikhaya Ncube and Yadah defender Lenox Mucheto, who had a decent season.
They will, however, face competition from several other stars including FC Platinum midfielder Blessing Moyo — who was one of the outstanding players for the Zvishavane team.
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There is also FC Platinum’s Thandowenkosi Ngwenya, Chicken Inn forward Brian Muza — who has scored 11 goals thus far — and Highlanders’ Lynoth Chikukwa on 11 goals to his name, among several others. The season though has seen stiff competition from goalkeepers, among them Taimon Mvula of Dynamos, Nelson Chadya of Ngezi Platinum and Chicken Inn’s Bernard Donovan among others.
There shouldn’t be no question on the coach of the year with Mapeza expected to win it after an impressive season.
For the rookie player of the year, Herentals goalkeeper Takudzwa Chikosi with an impressive 15 clean sheets is odds on favourites to win it while WhaWha’s Jayden Bakare is also a contenter while Tinotenda Musariranwa of Ngezi Platinum and Dynamos’ Junior Makunike also have a say.
