The ManicaPost
Ray Bande Senior Sports Reporter
SAKUBVA-BORN Ngezi Platinum star Ticha Mbabvura, whose career went on a revival path this year, received an early Christmas treat after snatching three accolades in two different end of year football awards ceremonies.
The former La Sakubva player was among the 2017 Castle Lager Premiership Soccer Star of the Year finalists before he was named his club’s Most Improved Player as well as Player’s Player of the year. In an interview on the sidelines of this year’s Soccer Star of the Year banquet in the capital recently, Mabvura, who was a bundle of joy after receiving his accolade, told Post Sport that he was aiming at improving from last season.
“I was really happy about the way things went during the 2017 season. I had enough game time that is needed by any other player. I managed to prove my worth in the team.
“Making a difference in almost all matches that one features is something that every other player yearns for. Now that I have made my impact felt, it is obvious that most people will be following my performance on the pitch with keen interest, therefore it is important to put more effort and improve from last season,” said Mabvura.
On his next move, Mabvura said it was still work in progress though he maintained that he was still committed to his current paymasters – Ngezi Platinum.
“There are several clubs that have shown interests in my services, but at the moment I am still committed to Ngezi Platinum. Something might come up, but at the moment I am a Ngezi Platinum player. We had a good season this year, but unfortunately we ended up losing out in the race for the title.
Scouts
“We actually built a good foundation and if we manage to keep the core of our squad, we stand a good chance of fighting for top honours next season,” said Mabvura.
During the course of the 2017 season, Mabvura’s performance attracted the attention of scouts from the south of Limpopo where he was invited and undertook trials at Ajax Cape Town. The former Mutare Boys’ High leaner honed his dribbling and ball control skills back at Zamba Primary School in the heart of the sprawling high-density suburb of Sakubva before enrolling at Sakubva High One and later Mutare Boys’ High.
From the Mazhambe section of Sakubva, Mabvura earned the admiration of DeMbare scouts when he turned out for the Under-20 side in a regional tournament during his days at Buffaloes in 2010 resulting in the transfer to the Harare giants in 2011 for a stint that lasted until 2016.
However, Mabvura’s career has suddenly hit purple patch, consistently commanding a place in the high riding Madamburo starting line-up, thanks to coach, Tonderai “Stanza” Ndiraya.
