HARARE Zimbabwe international midfielder Ramson Zhuwawo, who was last week crowned 2009 Soccer Star of the Year in a decision which has torched debate among soccer fans on whether he was the right man for the top accolade, has defended the football writers choice saying he "deserved the award". Zhuwawo who admitted he did not expect to be crowned Soccer Star of the Year said the selection panel may have been swayed by his performances for Gunners who made history by winning the Premier Soccer League crown in only their second year in the topflight. “To be frank I didn’t expect to win the award but I would say that I deserved it because if you look at the fact that Gunners won their maiden league title in only their second year and that I played in virtually every game you will agree with me that I deserved it,” he said. Asked who he thought was the right candidate for the award, Zhuwawo said his teammate goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube shone brightest to deserve the top accolade.
The 26-year-old diminutive midfielder, who collected a cool US$4 000 for winning the award, led little Gunners to the CBZ Premiership title relegating seasoned campaigners Dynamos into second place. But Zhuwawo appeared to struggle with his form in national colours and the football fraternity was shocked when he was named king of domestic football on a glorious night for local football. He beat pre-selection favourites big CAPS United striker Nyasha Mushekwi and Dynamos Cuthbert Malajila to the top award. Malajila was crowned the second best player in the Premiership while Mushekwi was voted third.
Another Gunners man, Dube won the Goalkeeper of the Year Award. But it is the decision by the football writers to reward Zhuwawo with the big prize after he sneaked into the picture at the last minute which has now become a source of raging debate among football followers. What has raised the debate is the fact that the selection panel appeared to give some value to the heroes of the 2009 Cosafa Senior Challenge Cup, which Zimbabwe won on home soil when they beat Zambia 3-1 in the final at Rufaro. Zhuwawo was also part of that cast but made cameo appearances for the history making Warriors under the guidance of Sunday Chidzambwa. He also did not play in the final in which Mushekwi scored a brace on his return from injury while Malajila, who finished the tournament as the top goalscorer with four goals, also weighed in with the other goal.
Although Zhuwawo was one of the stars of the show for Gunners in the league campaign, his rivals also produced fabulous performances in the Champions League and during the campaign for the Cosafa Senior Challenge Cup. “Mushekwi was robbed of the award,” said soccer supporter Martin Denzo. “How did Zhuwawo come into the picture? We need to be serious with the way (candidates for) these awards are selected,” he said. Another fan, Passmore Mharidzo said Zhuwawo did not deserve the award. “Zhuwawo never came close to my mind and I was surprised to hear he was the Soccer Star. This is a disgrace because we are not rewarding the right people.” The other finalists are Norman Maroto (Gunners), Tafadzwa Rusike, Method Mwanjali (CAPS United), Chris Semakweri, Mthulisi Maphosa (Monomotapa), Thabani Kamusoko (Njube Sundowns), Farai Vimisayi (Hwange). Each of the finalists got US$800.
The awards started in 1969 with legendary Dynamos forward George Mastermind Shaya winning the crown five times while Peter Ndlovu and the late Stanley Sinyo Ndunduma won the award twice each.
Previous Soccer Star of the Year winners:
1969 George Shaya
1970 Tendai Chieza
1971 Peter Nyama
1972 George Shaya
1973 Ernest Kamba
1974 Moses Moyo
1975 George Shaya
1976 George Shaya
1977 George Shaya
1978 George Rollo
1979 Shacky Tauro
1980 David Mandigora
1981 Stanley Ndunduma
1982 Japhet Mparutsa
1983 Ephert Lungu
1984 James Takavada
1985 Stanley Ndunduma
1986 Mercedes Sibanda
1987 Moses Chunga
1988 Ephraim Chawanda
1989 Masimba Dinyero
1990 Peter Ndlovu/George Nechironga
1991 Peter Ndlovu
1992 Wilfred Mugeyi
1993 Agent Sawu
1994 Memory Mucherahowa
1995 Tauya Murewa
1996 Stewart Murisa
1997 Walter Tshuma
2000 Zenzo Moyo
2001 Maxwell Dube
2002 Dazzy Kapenya
2003 Energy Murambadoro
2004 Cephas Chimedza
2005 Joseph Kamwendo
2006 Clemence Matawu
2007 Murape Murape
2008 Evans Chikwaikwai
2009 Ramson Zhuwawo
Post published in: Football