• Rhinos, Hwange and Mwana Africa relegated • Relegation battle goes to the wire • Dynamos clinch league and cup double • 2007 Premier Soccer League Fixtures

By Sports Reporter

VETERAN Dynamos striker Murape Murape is to be crowned Zimbabwe's top footballer for the 2007 at a banquet in Harare on Friday night.

The striker beat teammate Justice Majabvi and Highlanders striker Obadiah Tarumbwa, into second and first runners-up positions, respectively.

The Soccer Star of the Year is selected by football writers from around Zimbabwe.

Murape Murape's selection will likely cause spark debate in the football community. Fans' favourite Kingstone Nkata of CAPS had been heavily fancied for the top award.

By winning the big prize, Murape has beaten the following players to the top prize: Edward Sadomba (Dynamos), goalkeeper Willard Manyatera (Dynamos); Anzilom Ndlovu (Highlanders); Ovidy Karuru (Masvingo United); Richard Mteki (Lengthens); Evans Chikwaikwai (Sundowns); Method Mwanjali (Caps United): Kingstone Nkata (Caps FC).

Meanwhile, Dynamos' David Mandigora is the 2007 Coach of the Year, after taking DeMbare to the league championship and CBZ FA Cup.

Mutare-based Kenny Marange is the Referee of the Year, while Nelson Kusosa of Gweru and Thabani Mkanjo of Bulawayo, are the first and second runners-up, respectively.

The awards were this year being sponsored by the Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe, and come with financial incentives, set to be announced Friday night at the special function set for Meikles Hotel in Harare.

Previous Soccer Star of the Year Winners

Year I Player I (Club)

1969 George Shaya (Dynamos)
1970 Tendai Chieza (Mangula)
1971 Peter Nyama (Chibuku)
1972 George Shaya (Dynamos)
1973 Ernest Kamba (Dynamos)
1974 Moses Moyo (Zimbabwe Saints)
1975 George Shaya (Dynamos)
1976 George Shaya (Dynamos)
1977 George Shaya (Dynamos)
1978 George Rollo Arcadia Utd
1979 Shacky Tauro (CAPS United)
1980 David Mandigora (Dynamos)
1981 Stanley Ndunduma (CAPS United)
1982 Japhet Mparutsa (Dynamos)
1983 Ephert Lungu (Rio Tinto)
1984 James Takavada (Ziscosteel)
1985 Stanley Ndunduma (Black Rhinos)
1986 Moses Chunga (Dynamos)
1987 Mercedes Sibanda (Highlanders)
1988 Ephraim Chawanda (Zimbabwe Saints)
1989 Masimba Dinyero (Black Mambas)
1990 Peter Ndlovu (Highlanders)
1990 George Nechironga (CAPS United)
1991 Peter Ndlovu (Highlanders)
1992 Wilfred Mugeyi (Black Aces)
1993 Agent Sawu (Zimbabwe Saints)
1994 Memory Mucherahowa (Dynamos)
1995 Tauya Murewa (Dynamos)
1996 Stewart Murisa (CAPS United)
1997 Walter Chuma (Wankie)
2000 Zenzo Moyo (Highlanders)
2001 Maxwell Dube (Chapungu United)
2002 Dazzy Kapenya (Highlanders)
2003 Energy Murambadoro (CAPS United)
2004 Cephas Chimedza (CAPS United)
2005 Joseph Kamwendo [Malawi] (CAPS United)
2006 Clemence Matawu (Motor Action)
2007 Murape Murape (Dynamos)

FINAL 2007 CBZ PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE TABLE:

TEAM		Played	Won	Drew	Lost	G/F	G/A	Points
CH	Dynamos	30	19	7	4	41	15	64
2	Highlanders	30	16	7	7	44	25	55
3	Masvingo United	30	14	7	9	37	26	49
4	Shooting Stars	30	11	8	11	36	36	41
5	Njube Sundowns	30	12	5	13	37	45	41
6	Lengthens	30	11	7	12	36	36	40
7	CAPS FC	30	11	6	13	38	39	39
8	CAPS United	30	8	15	7	26	25	39
9	Chapungu United	30	11	6	13	37	39	39
10	Motor Action	30	11	6	13	37	40	39
11	Lancashire Steel	30	10	9	11	33	40	39
12	Monomotapa United	30	11	5	14	33	40	38
13	Eastern Lions	30	7	13	10	26	31	34
RE	Black Rhinos	30	8	10	12	30	41	34
RE	Hwange	30	8	8	14	28	36	32
RE	Mwana Africa	30	6	13	11	24	32	31

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