TOP MAN: Evans Chikwaikwai • CAPS United survive, Monomotapa claim their prize • Monmomotapa clinch premiership title • Dynamos slash Monomotapa's lead with emphatic win • Monomotapa, Dynamos set up tantalising season finale • Monomotapa get in mood for big party • 2008 Premier Soccer League Fixtures

By Nkanyiso Moyo
Posted top the web: 23/12/2008 20:20:45
NJUBE Sundowns striker Evans Chikwaikwai has been named the 2008 Soccer Star of the Year.

Dynamos striker Edward Sadomba and Highlanders’ Cuthberth Malajila were first and second runners-up respectively.

Sundowns coach Philani Ncube was the surprise choice for the Coach of the Year award after he led his unfancied team to a respectable third finish in the league ahead of regional power-house Highlanders.

Norman Mapeza, the favourite for the award, was disqualified by the country’s football writers over an incident with a football fan in Mutare. Even then, many thought it would go to Dynamos coach David Mandigora who led his team to the semi-finals of the African Champions League and a second spot finish in the league.

Hwange referee won Referee of the Year.

Chikwaikwai scored 23 goals in the just-ended CBZ Premier Soccer League season and capped a perfect year when he was named the league’s most outstanding player at a banquet in Harare on Tuesday night.

For his troubles, he picked up US$3,100 from the Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe, the league sponsors. All the other 10 finalists picked up US$500.

In only his second full season in the premiership, Chikwaikwai smashed in 23 goals in 28 appearances after only missing two games due to a trail stint with RC Strasbourg of France in August.

According to team secretary, Tawengwa Hara, Evans will return to France in January for more trials with the hope of clinching a deal.

He scored 13 goals last season, three behind last season's Golden Boot winner Malajila, who was playing for Chapungu before being prized away by Highlanders.

Malajila scored 16 goals this season and Dynamo's Sadomba was third on the scorers’ chart with 13.

CHIKWAIKWAI FACTS:

Full Name: Evans Chikwaikwai

Place of Birth: Rusape, Zimbabwe

Playing Position: Striker

Playing History: Bought by Njube Sundowns from Grain Tigers in 2007

CBZ Premier Soccer League Final Standings: Monday, December 22, 2008

TEAM		Played	Won	Drew	Lost	G/F	G/A	Points
1	C - Monomotapa	30	18	6	6	41	27	60
2	Dynamos	30	16	10	4	40	24	58
3	Njube Sundowns	30	15	3	12	42	36	48
4	Highlanders	30	9	15	6	34	25	42
5	Shooting Stars	29	11	8	10	34	26	41
6	Lengthens	30	11	8	11	37	41	41
7	Kiglon	30	9	12	9	31	32	39
8	Eastern Lions	30	9	11	10	24	29	38
9	Underhill	30	9	11	10	38	44	38
10*	Gunners	29	9	10	10	39	39	37
11	Motor Action	29	11	4	14	34	39	37
12	CAPS United	30	8	12	10	35	32	36
13	P/O - Lancashire	30	10	6	14	37	46	36
14	R - Masvingo United	30	9	9	12	36	47	36
15	R - Chapungu	30	9	7	14	31	32	34
16*	R - CAPS FC	29	4	10	15	27	40	22
* CAPS FC failed to turn up for fixture. Likely to be awarded to Gunners on 3-0 score

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