Soccer stars of the year announced

Gunners midfielder and vice captain, Ramson Zhuwawo, was also given recognition by the football writers.

CAPS United inspirational captain, Method Mwanjali, who led the Warriors to their fourth Cosafa Cup triumph with a 3-1 win over Zambia in Harare in November, also graced the soccer calendar.

His team mate Tafadzwa Rusike was also given the nod. Gunner’s hitman Norman Maroto, Monomotapa duo of Christopher Semakweri and Mthulisi Maphosa also found their way onto the soccer calendar.

Bulawayo Premiership outfit Njube Sundowns, who appear to have escaped the dreaded chop in the elite following their shock 1-0 win over Shooting Stars, provided dreadlocked midfielder Thabani Kamusoko, who was one of the heroes of the Cosafa Senior Challenge Cup campaign.

Hwange also had Farai Vimisai earning a place on the list.

But, three surprise omissions from the finalists were CAPS United’s Gilbert Mapemba, Shooting Stars Daniel Vheremu and Monomotapa’s Asani Nhongo.

The three players were part of Sunday Chidzambwa’s history-making Warriors who won the regional Cosafa Senior Challenge Cup tournament for a record fourth time.

The overall winner of the Soccer Star of the Year Award, his first runner up and second runner up will be kept secret until the at the awards ceremony on December 17 in the capital. The coach of the year and Referee of the Year will also be kept secret and will only be announced at the awards ceremony.

The 11 finalists: Ramson Zhuwawo (Gunners), Cuthbert Malajila (Dynamos), Nyasha Mushekwi (CAPS United), Tafadzwa Dube(Gunners), Method Mwanjali(CAPS United), Tafadzwa Rusike (CAPS United), Farai Vimisai (Hwange), Thabani Kamusoko (Njube Sundowns), Norman Maroto(Gunners), Mthulisi Maphosa, Christopher Semakweri both (Monoz).