SHABANIE Mine striker, Nelson Maziwisa, looks set to land this year’s Golden Boot in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League when a panel of selectors meet in the capital next week. With 18 goals to his credit, Maziwisa leads the duo of Denver Mukamba of Dynamos and Milton Ncube of Highlanders for the US$3 000 award. The two players are eight goals shy of Maziwisa and will have to score nine goals to eclipse pacesetter.
The trio of Maziwisa, Mukamba and Ncube could also be selected among the Soccer Stars of the Year on November 17.
In a statement from their agency, Delta Beverages yesterday said the selection of the outstanding players would be done on the same weekend the league programme ends.
“The panel will consist of journalists, Castle Premier League coaches, and Footballers’ Union of Zimbabwe executive members and referees’ representatives.
“The process will be managed by experienced soccer personalities, assisted by non-voting Sports Editors.
“Winners of all other awards will be announced at the banquet day, on December 7,” the statement said.
According to the pre-selection regulations, a player must have played at least 10 Castle Lager PSL matches of the 2012 season and this can be at more than one club.
The rules also state that any player who has accumulated more than two red cards or more than six yellow cards during the season is not eligible for selection.
Former Dynamos goalkeeper Washington Arubi, now a star at University of Pretoria in South Africa, is the reigning soccer star.
At the banquet, the Soccer Star of the Year will receive US$5 000 while the first runner-up will get US$3 000 and the second runner up walks away with US$ 2 000.
The selection panel will also pick the Soccer Stars of the Year finalists, the Goalkeeper of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year and Most Disciplined Team.
An award for the Most Promising Player of the Year to be given to the best performing Under-20 player, registered with the Premier Soccer League, will also be handed out.