HARARE - Former Motor Action star-striker Charles Sibanda scooped the 2010 soccer star of the year award at a belated ceremony held in Harare, last Thursday.Sibanda was promised a prize money worth US$3 000 by last minute sponsors Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, who only agreed to bankroll the award after being lobbied by the Sports Writer Association of Zimbabwe (SWAZ) just hours before the accolade was to be presented. The SWAZ organised the event.
The winner together with the two runners-up, Joel Ngodzo, who was first runner-up and Benjamin Marere will their prize money after the Warriors tour of Sudan. Ngodzo and Marere will $2000 and $1 000 respectively.Caps United big goalie Edmore Sibanda was voted goalkeeper of the year while Former Gunners striker Norman Maroto, who will be featuring for the new outfit Mimosa, was awarded the golden boot award for emerging the top goal scorer of the season.
The rest of the stars who include Norman Maroto, Alan Gahadzikwa, Beki Ncube, Fortune Ncube, Desmond Maringwa, Nyasha Mukumbi, Menard Mupera, and Edmore Sibanda will each receive US$500. Zambian football great and1988 African Footballer of the Year, Kalusha Bwalya, graced the awards ceremony applauding SWAZ and the sponsors for acknowledging the great efforts by the players.
Meanwhile, ZTA boss Karikoga Kaseke came to the national teams rescue by booking them at a five star hotel from Palm Lodge where he described conditions there as not befitting for a team preparing to win in Africa.
I have heard our teams complain about being booked at low class hotels in other countries saying it was a ploy to frustrate the opponents. That lodge is just what our teams will be complaining about when they travel, so who then is plotting for the teams downfall now, questioned Kaseke. We want to try and make sure that their frustrations are over and they travel to Sudan well prepared for the tournament.
Post published in: Zimbabwe Sports News