Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
THE Zifa Southern Region Soccer League has set November 28 as the date for their awards ceremony that will be hosted by Bulawayo businessman and philanthropist Raj Modi.
He is also the Zifa Southern Region patron.
The league’s representatives led by regional chairman Musa Mandaza met Modi at his offices on Friday and agreed on the date.
“We’re finalising on the awards ceremony with the patron. We’ve had a great season and it’s only proper that we reward participants so that they find motivation,” said Mandaza.
At the event, the region will honour its excelling 11 soccer stars, the coach of the year and the top goal scorer of the year.
Nokel Security, who have been the league’s sponsors for the monthly top goal scorer’s award, confirmed that they will reward the season’s overall leading marksman.
“As a company, we’re happy that our monthly award has played a significant role in motivating players, especially the strikers. What makes it (monthly award) even sweet is that we’ve seen even midfielders winning the $150 monthly prize money, successfully beating strikers. We’ve agreed to honour the league’s top goal scorer and we’re working on our budget,” said Nokel director Kenneth Mhlophe.
Manyando Zulu of Technosphere became the league’s 12th player to win the monthly award in September.
James Chivasa of Ntabazinduna won the first prize in April. He then shared the May award with Lungile Nyathi of Amagagasi, Collen Tshuma of Indlovu Iyanyathela and ZPC Hwange’s Admire Banda after scoring four goals each.
Bulawayo Chiefs’ Kundishora Chakanyuka landed the accolade after netting three goals in June.
Bekithemba Nyoni of Technosphere and the Bantu Rovers’ duo of Lenience Mpofu and Bukhosi Sibanda shared the July award with the trio of Thabani Moyo (Bulawayo Chiefs), Alfred Mehlomakhulu (Indlovu Iyanyathela) and Nust’s Taluso Ndlovu sharing the August accolade.
Nyoni and Mpofu are the league’s joint top scorers with 10 goals each. Nyoni could have secured the top marksman accolade had he scored in his team’s 0-0 draw against Makomo on Saturday.
Mpofu scored for Bantu Rovers in a top four finish battle against ZPC Hwange which ended 1-1 on Saturday. Bantu Rovers ended the season on fifth position and tied with ZPC Hwange on 51 points.
Meanwhile, Southern Region Soccer League champions Bulawayo City capped their season in style, beating Indlovu Iyanyathela 3-1 at Barbourfields Stadium.
City’s coach Philani “Beefy” Ncube praised his boys for maintaining their momentum after securing their PSL ticket with two games to spare.
“This has been a challenging season for us and we worked hard to win this championship. The unity of purpose and hard work is what got us through and it’s my hope that we’ll continue with the same attitude come the start of the 2016 season. I believe it’s only fair to praise the boys for bidding Division One farewell with such breathtaking wins. After winning the title, many thought we’ll take the foot off the pedal, but the boys maintained the same zeal and we convincingly beat our opponents,” said Ncube.
Southern Region Soccer League goal scorers’ chart
Ten: Bekithemba Nyoni (Technosphere), Lenience Mpofu (Bantu Rovers)
Seven: Ishmael Wadi
Six: James Chivasa (Ntabazinduna), Nyasha Manzunzu (Casmyn), Courage Sibanda (Hwange Juniors)
Five: Admire Banda (ZPC Hwange), Humphrey Nube, Xolisani Moyo (Bulawayo City), Proud Zireni (Bulawayo City), Remmington Masuku (Black Boots)