2025 Castle Lager PSL Soccer Stars Finalists Draw Praise and Debate

HARARE — The 2025 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Soccer Stars finalists have been announced, drawing unusually widespread praise from supporters, analysts and club communities across Zimbabwe. In a league where the annual shortlist often sparks early controversy, this year’s 11-man selection has been described by fans as one of the fairest in recent memory. Supporters across social media, fan groups and local football circles expressed rare consensus that the chosen players accurately reflected the season’s performance trends, consistency and standout storylines.

The selection panel, comprised of journalists, coaches, captains and football experts, highlighted the grit and statistical clarity that shaped the 2025 campaign. Third-placed Simba Bhora led all clubs with three finalists: Emmanuel Ziocha, Ishe Mauchi and goalkeeper William Thole, who were praised for tactical maturity and consistent output. Champions Scottland contributed defender Kelvin Moyo and striker Tymon Machope, two players central to the team’s first-ever title. Runners-up MWOS were represented by Billy Veremu and Abubakar Moffat, while the remaining places went to Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos), Washington Navaya (TelOne), Andrew Mbeba (Highlanders) and Jarrison Selemani (FC Platinum).

The Soccer Star of the Year and two runners-up will be announced at a Harare banquet early next month. Early projections place Scottland centre-back Kelvin Moyo slightly ahead following his 33 starts and leadership of the league’s best defensive unit. TelOne forward Washington Navaya remains a strong challenger after scoring 18 goals, while Simba Bhora’s Emmanuel Ziocha is regarded as the season’s “dark horse,” having dominated much of the campaign despite a late dip in form.

Three coaches have been shortlisted for Coach of the Year: Scottland’s Tonderai Ndiraya for guiding a debutant champion, MWOS’s Lloyd Mutasa for securing a surprise second-place finish, and Dynamos’ Kelvin Kaindu for overseeing an 11-match unbeaten run that lifted the club out of danger. Other anticipated honours include Goalkeeper of the Year, where Thole leads with 18 clean sheets, and Rookie of the Year, with Scottland’s Mafios Chihweta considered a favourite.

Despite broad agreement, fan debates have surfaced around two notable omissions. FC Platinum’s Nickson Nyasulu, credited with driving the club to 19 clean sheets, was viewed by some as statistically stronger than listed defenders. TelOne’s Tawanda Macheke, who produced 19 direct goal contributions, was also cited as an attacking snub.

After years of disputed selections and accusations of bias, supporters say the 2025 panel restored credibility by incorporating multi-stakeholder voting, data-driven assessment and recognition of major season narratives, including Dynamos’ survival run and Scottland’s historic rise. The final shortlist, made up of Jalai, Machope, Moyo, Mauchi, Thole, Ziocha, Mbeba, Moffat, Veremu, Navaya and Selemani, has been widely regarded as balanced and deserved. The football community now turns to next month’s banquet, where the season’s top individual honours will be decided.