BY MUNYARADZI MADZOKERE
LEGENDARY five-time Soccer Star of the Year winner George “Mastermind” Shaya stole the limelight after being honoured at the Castle Lager Soccer Star awards ceremony at Manna Resorts in Harare on Friday night.
The 73 year-old Shaya is the inaugural winner of the prestigious Soccer Star of the Year gong when it was incepted in 1969 and he went on to win it in 1972 as well as three times in a row from 1975 to 1977.
This year’s awards, which ran under the banner: “50 Years of Shining Stars” was also meant to honour all the former winners of the prestigious individual football accolade and the legendary Dynamos son was among those who were honoured during the ceremony.
“I would like to acknowledge the legends of our football in Zimbabwe who have graced us. I see Shaya, I also see Mandigora, I believe Moses Chunga and all the others present. We really appreciate you and honour you for what you have achieved in your football careers,” Delta Beverages’ Lager Beer Business MD Munyaradzi Nyandoro said.
The football legend, touted as the finest footballer to emerge from local football, has been battling ill-health in the last few years and had his left leg amputated in February.
Shaya stirred up emotions when he slowly negotiated his way to the podium to receive his tribute award with the help of a walking aid as well as wife Agnes.
While many former soccer stars were honoured in absentia, others such as David Mandigora, Moses Chunga Masimba Dinyero, Stewart Murisa, Murape Murape and 2016 winner Hardlife Zvirekwi attended the ceremony.
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Mandigora, who was soccer star in 1980 also had his right leg amputated a couple of years back and was using a walking aid while Zvirekwi who lost his forearm in a horror car crash last year also received a standing ovation when he walked forward to get his medal.
The Soccer Star finalists save for Clive Augusto and Never Tigere who could not attend the event due to club commitments, had a chance to rub shoulders with football legends.
While many yesteryear stars were honoured posthumously, other locally based former winners from years back such as Denver Mukamba, Tawanda Muparati, Clemence Matawu and Ransom Zhuwawu to mention a few were conspicuous by their absence.
