Story by Gay Matambo
The Eastern Region Soccer League held its 2024 annual awards ceremony this weekend, where outstanding players, coaches and referees for the just ended soccer season were awarded for their sterling performance.
The awards ceremony, which took place this Saturday at Triangle Country Club, saw players who include Ali Sadiki from Triangle United Football Club, Junior Peter Mushure from FC Wangu Mazodze and Tawanda Chatuluka from FC Hunters scooping medals for being part of the 11 best players of the past season.
“I promise our supporters that we are going to do better in the PSL. I have never led a team that got relegated, and I’m confident that TUFC will never be relegated,” said Triangle United Football Club coach, Luke Masomere.
Midfielder, Ali Sadiki said, “I want to thank God for this award and this is a motivation to the youngsters when they see someone like me winning this award and it also motivates my age mates to say that age is just a number they only have to work hard.”
ZIFA Easter Region chairperson, Mr Davison Muchena said they are targeting to promote more teams into the top tier of Zimbabwean Football as Triangle United Football Club joins Manica Diamonds, Bikita Minerals and Green Fuel, bringing the total number of teams from the Eastern Region Soccer League to four.
“Our season was successful, and today we came to Triangle to celebrate the success of the youngsters who managed to play from day 1 up to the end of the season. We also want to give under 19s a chance because we want them to grow. The year was ok, and competition was also top class in the Eastern region,” he said.
ZIFA chief executive officer, Ms Yvonne Manwa, who was one of the high profile guests at the event, cited the importance of unity in the development of football in Zimbabwe.
She said, “For football to be successful we should join hands, support and sponsor it. We all have a mandate to make football successful in our country. If we work together, you will find out that we will all be successful in promoting soccer in Zimbabwe.”
FC Hunters Football Club scooped the most improved team award while Surrey FC went home with most disciplined team award.
The Golden boot winner award went to Tadiwa Mambudzi of Mutare City after scoring 15 goals in the just ended season with Munyaradzi Bakayawo scooping the referee of the year award.
Best 11 Eastern Region Soccer League players
Ali Sadiki, Triangle United Football Club
Junior Peter Mushure, FC Wangu Mazodze
Tawanda Chatuluka, FC Hunters
David Chirandu, Destiny Stars
Bennedict Musana, Chiredzi Stars
Clive Madande, Rusitu Tigers
Leon Ngwenya, Renco Mine, Theophilous Musiye, Huku F.C
Malvin Dumbura, Tenax F.C
Aldridge Mubango, Buffaloes F.C
Eddy Kanyangu
Tadiwa Mambudzi, Mutare City
Other individual winners are:
Most improved team – FC Hunters
Most Disciplined team – Surrey F.C
Best Adminstrator – Buffaloes F.C
Chairman of the season – Tenax FC
Special Awards
Most promising player – Eddie Kanyangu (18), Manica Diamond
Golden Glove – Junior Mushure, F.C Wangu Mazodze
Golden Boot winner: Tadiwa Mambudzi (15 goals), Mutare City
Coach of the year – Luke Masomere, Triangle United
Most Promising coach – Hebron Makukutu Manica Diamonds Juniors
Referees
2nd Runner up – Waken Machekeche
1st Runner up – Tanaka Masawi
Referee of the year – Munyaradzi Bakayawo
