Murape scoops footballer of the year award

 The veteran striker is this year’s surprise winner of Zimbabwe’s top individual soccer award, beating
Highlanders striker Obadiah Tarumbwa into second place and teammate Justice Majabvi, coming third.
The three winners – whose names had been a closely guarded secret until Friday-took the awards from a big field of 11 finalists, who had been selected by a panel of soccer journalists in Kwekwe on December 1.
The other players to have made the list are Dynamos attacking midfielder Edward Sadomba and DeMbare goalkeeper Willard Manyatera, Highlanders defender Anzilom Ndlovu, Ovidy Karuru of Masvingo United, Lengthens striker Richard Mteki, Evans Chikwaikwai of Njube Sundowns, Caps United playmaker Method Mwanjali and Caps FC striker Kingston Nkata, who had been hot
favourite for the top award.
The winners of the coveted awards were set to be made public at a special banquet Friday night, but CAJ News can safely reveal Murape is this year’s top footballer, after helping DeMbare to a domestic double- the league title and CBZ FA Cup.
Meanwhile, CAJ News can also reveal Dynamos coach David Mandigora is the 2007 coach of the year, while Mutare-based referee Kenny Marange is the referee-of-the-year.
 Nelson Kusosa of Gweru is the first runner-up, with Thabani Mkanjo of Bulawayo coming in as second runner-up.
The awards, which are run by the Sports Writers Association of Zimbabwe (SWAZ), come with a financial incentive and are this year, being sponsored by the Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe.
Previous winners of the Soccer-Star-of-the-Year Award
Year   Player (Club)
1969   George Shaya (Dynamos)
1970   Tendai Chieza (Mangula)
1971   Peter Nyama (Chibuku)
1972   George Shaya (Dynamos)
1973   Ernest Kamba (Dynamos)
1974   Moses Moyo (Zimbabwe Saints)
1975   George Shaya (Dynamos)
1976   George Shaya (Dynamos)
1977   George Shaya (Dynamos)
1978   George Rollo Arcadia Utd
1979   Shacky Tauro (CAPS United)
1980   David Mandigora (Dynamos)
1981   Stanley Ndunduma (CAPS United)
1982   Japhet Mparutsa (Dynamos)
1983   Ephert Lungu (Rio Tinto)
1984   James Takavada (Ziscosteel)
1985   Stanley Ndunduma (Black Rhinos)
1986   Moses Chunga (Dynamos)
1987   Mercedes Sibanda (Highlanders)
1988   Ephraim Chawanda (Zimbabwe Saints)
1989   Masimba Dinyero (Black Mambas)
1990   Peter Ndlovu (Highlanders)
1990   George Nechironga (CAPS United)
1991   Peter Ndlovu (Highlanders)
1992   Wilfred Mugeyi (Black Aces)
1993   Agent Sawu (Zimbabwe Saints)
1994   Memory Mucherahowa (Dynamos)
1995   Tauya Murewa (Dynamos)
1996   Stewart Murisa (CAPS United)
1997   Walter Chuma (Wankie)
2000   Zenzo Moyo (Highlanders)
2001   Maxwell Dube (Chapungu United)
2002   Dazzy Kapenya (Highlanders)
2003   Energy Murambadoro (CAPS United)
2004   Cephas Chimedza (CAPS United)
2005   Joseph Kamwendo [Malawi] (CAPS United)
2006 Clemence Matawu (Motor Action)-CAJ News.