The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
FC Platinum attacking midfielder Rodwell Chinyetengere is on the verge of achieving something the modern day Zimbabwean footballers have failed to accomplish, that is to be crowned Soccer Star of the Year on two consecutive seasons.
Chinyengetere, who was voted as the best player in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League is the favourite to land the coveted Soccer Star of the Year gong when the awards ceremony takes place in Harare on Friday. The 30-year-old was last Thursday selected among the best 11 on display this season and there is no doubt that the former Hwange captain is the front runner for the award.
Since the Premier Soccer League came into being in 1993, no player has won back-to-back the Soccer Star of the Year award.
This has been due to players fizzling out the following season or leaving the country for greener pastures.
George Shaya was the first Zimbabwean player to win the award more than once uninterrupted. The Dynamos legend was the Soccer Star of the Year in 1975, 1976 and 1977 having won it in 1969 as well as 1972.
Former Warriors skipper Peter Ndlovu was also voted the top player in the domestic league twice in a row. In 1990, Ndlovu shared the award with George Nechironga of Caps United with “Nsukuzonke” winning it outright the following year.
Chinyengetere was instrumental in FC Platinum’s successful title defence with 17 league goals, which means he is already assured of picking up the Golden Boot accolade on Friday. Chinyengetere last year fought off a close challenge from his teammate, central defender Kevin Moyo for the top gong.
Moyo, a reliable defender who won the Cosafa Cup with the Warriors this year is again in the running for the best footballer in the land. Also in with a chance is Farai Madhananga, the midfielder who imposes himself on the opposition in the middle of the park.
Nhamo Lameck, who is likely to be turning out for FC Platinum next season, is another player with a chance of making it to the top three. The Triangle striker, already registered by the Zimbabwean champions for the Caf Champions League has caught the attention this season with his fine display which saw him bang in 15 league goals.
Should Chinyengetere go on to be crowned Soccer Star of the Year on Friday, it would be a wonderful achievement for the 30-year-old. His career appeared to be over in 2012 when he suffered a horrific leg injury while turning out for Hwange after colliding with Monomotapa goalkeeper Artwell Mukandi in a league match at Rufaro Stadium. Chinyengetere had an operation and had to play with a pin on his leg which was removed in 2016.
South African Premiership side Baroka announced last Friday that they had signed Chinyengetere, a clear indication of how outstanding he has been in 2018.
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