IN Zimbabwe the Soccer Star of the Year Award has been handed out annually since 1969, starting with the legendary George Shaya right up to defending league champions Ngezi Platinum’s Qadr Amini last season.
By Bhora Afrika
Below, bhorafrika.com lists winners of the coveted trophy from 1980.
The chart below shows how teams from Harare have dominated local football having claimed the gong 23 times out of 40. Dynamos, Caps United, Motor Action, Black Rhinos, Black Mambas, Black Aces and Gunners have all contributed to the figure.
Highlanders, Zimbabwe Saints, Njube Sundowns and Chicken Inn have contributed to Bulawayo’s eight.
Dynamos and players have won it nine times, Bosso has had the trophy taken to Bulawayo four times while Caps United is just one short of the Dynamos record on eight.
Army side Black Rhinos, Police side Black Mambas, Air Force side Chapungu, Black Aces, Gunners, Chicken Inn, Njube Sundowns, now defunct Zisco Steel, Hwange, Ngezi Platinum have won it once each.
The 1997/98 awards were abandoned after controversy marred the selection process.
A global pandemic, Covid-19, led to suspension of the topflight league in 2020 hence the absence of a winner on the list below.
Check it out;
| Year | Name | Club (TOWN) |
| 1980 | David Mandigora | Dynamos FC (HARARE) |
| 1981 | Stanley Ndunduma | Caps United FC (HARARE) |
| 1982 | Japhet Mparutsa | Dynamos FC (HARARE) |
| 1983 | Ephert Lungu | Rio Tinto FC (KADOMA) |
| 1984 | James Takavada | Zisco Steel FC (REDCLIFF) |
| 1985 | Stanley Ndunduma | Black Rhinos FC (HARARE) |
| 1986 | Moses Chunga | Dynamos FC (HARARE) |
| 1987 | Mercedes Sibanda | Highlanders FC (BULAWAYO) |
| 1988 | Ephraim Chawanda | Zimbabwe Saints FC (BULAWAYO) |
| 1989 | Masimba Dinyero | Black Mambas FC (HARARE) |
| 1990 | George Nechironga | Caps United FC (HARARE) |
| 1991 | Peter Ndlovu | Highlanders FC (BULAWAYO) |
| 1992 | Wilfred Mugeyi | Black Aces FC (HARARE) |
| 1993 | Agent Sawu | Zimbabwe Saints FC (BULAWAYO) |
| 1994 | Memory Mucherahowa | Dynamos FC (HARARE) |
| 1995 | Tauya Murewa | Dynamos FC (HARARE) |
| 1996 | Stewart Murisa | Caps United FC (HARARE) |
| 1997 | Walter Chuma | Hwange FC (HWANGE) |
| 98/99 | – | – |
| 2000 | Zenzo Moyo | Highlanders FC (BULAWAYO) |
| 2001 | Maxwell Dube | Chapungu FC (GWERU) |
| 2002 | Dazzy Kapenya | Highlanders FC (BULAWAYO) |
| 2003 | Energy Murambadoro | Caps United FC (HARARE) |
| 2004 | Cephas Chimedza | Caps United FC (HARARE) |
| 2005 | Joseph Kamwendo | Caps United FC (HARARE) |
| 2006 | Clemence Matawu | Motor Action FC (HARARE) |
| 2007 | Murape Murape | Dynamos FC (HARARE) |
| 2008 | Evans Chikwaikwai | Njube Sundowns FC (BULAWAYO) |
| 2009 | Ramson Zhuwawo | Gunners FC (HARARE) |
| 2010 | Charles Sibanda | Motor Action FC (HARARE) |
| 2011 | Washington Arubi | Dynamos FC (HARARE) |
| 2012 | Denver Mukamba | Dynamos FC (HARARE) |
| 2013 | Tawanda Muparati | Dynamos FC (HARARE) |
| 2014 | Dennis Dauda | ZPC Kariba FC (KARIBA) |
| 2015 | Danny Phiri | Chicken Inn FC (BULAWAYO) |
| 2016 | Hardlife Zvirekwi | Caps United FC (HARARE) |
| 2017 | Rodwell Chinyengetere | FC Platinum (ZVISHAVANE) |
| 2018 | Rodwell Chinyengetere | FC Platinum (ZVISHAVANE) |
| 2019 | Joel Ngodzo | Caps United FC (HARARE) |
| 2020 | – | – |
| 21/22 | Walter Musona | FC Platinum (ZVISHAVANE) |
| 2023 | Qadr Amini (C) | Ngezi Platinum Stars FC (NGEZI) |