Bigboy Mawiwi thrilled Bigboy Mawiwi
Bigboy Mawiwi

Bigboy Mawiwi

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
HARARE City coach Bigboy Mawiwi has given credit to his players’ work ethic after his side was named the Most Disciplined Team, while he walked away with the Coach of the Year award at the Premier Soccer League’s end of year prize giving ceremony in the capital.
The Sunshine Boys welcomed the honour as a consolation for the disappointment of losing the title to Dynamos on the last day of the season.
Mawiwi beat Dynamos’ Callisto Pasuwa and Kelvin Kaindu of Highlanders, who were also touted among the favourites to win the Coach of the Year accolade, and received US$2 000.

“I am over the moon and I really want to thank everyone who helped us to reach great heights this year. Our team performed well beyond expectations and it is good that we get to be recognised.

“I also think Highlanders and Dynamos did well during the season and for Pasuwa to win a third straight title was a good achievement. So I would like to give glory to God for being chosen as the best,” said Mawiwi.

Their star forward Silas Songani was the first runner up for the Soccer Star of the Year award.
The night however, belonged to Dynamos’ Tawanda Muparati who was a surprise pick for the Soccer Star of the Year.

Harare City finished third in the championship race behind Dynamos and Highlanders after squandering a golden opportunity on the last day of the season.

City needed to beat CAPS United by any margin as they had a two-point advantage over the chasing pack but they could only manage a 2-2 draw and lost the title on goal difference after finishing tied on 54 points with Dynamos and Highlanders.

However winning the Most Disciplined Team award which carried US10 000 cheque was somewhat consolation for the Sunshine Boys. City were playing in the Premiership for only their second season and Mawiwi was still satisfied by their achievements. It was all a result of hard work by the whole team and unity of purpose. To be honest we didn’t expect that at the beginning of the season although we did talk about the championship.

“What I was sure of was a top four finish but the team excelled beyond measure and I am proud of these guys. It was unfortunate that we could not go all the way and win the championship when it appeared possible.

“I am happy for Silas although I also feel that we could have contributed at least two or three players on the calendar looking at players like Nathan Ziwini and Crispen Dickson who unfortunately was disqualified because of excessive cautions.

“But being voted the Most Disciplined Team is a big honour because we really emphasised on discipline and good sportsmanship all the time. I hope the players will always cherish the spirit,” said Mawiwi.

Awards Breakdown:
Castle Soccer Star of the Year: Tawanda Muparati (Dynamos) — $5 000
First runner-up: Silas Songani (Harare City) — $3 000
Second runner-up: Kudakwashe Mahachi (Chicken Inn) — $2 000
Coach of the Year: Bigboy Mawiwi (Harare City) — $2 000
Goalkeeper of the Year: Herbert Rusawo (Black Rhinos) —$2 000
Golden Boot: Tendai Ndoro (Chicken Inn) — $3 000
Rookie of the Year: Ronald Pfumbidzai (CAPS United) — $2 000
Referee of the Year: Nomore Musundire — $2 000
First runner-up: Tiwone Kacheche — $1 500
Second runner-up: Thomas Kusosa — $1 000
Most disciplined team: Harare City — $10 000
The 11 finalists:
George Chigova, Tawanda Muparati, Gift Bello (all Dynamos), Silas Songani (Harare City), Charles Sibanda (FC Platinum), Eric Chipeta (Hwange), Kuda Mahachi, Tendai Ndoro (both Chicken Inn), Menard Mupera (How Mine), Hardlife Zvirekwi (CAPS United), Munyaradzi Diya (Highlanders).

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