2017 Castle Lager Premiership Soccer Star of the Year favourite Tichaona Mabvura lost his father on Sunday night after he succumbed to sugar diabetes.

He was 54.

Batsirai Mabvura, the Ngezi Platinum star’s father, died at his Sakubva home on Sunday after a long battle with diabetes and chest pains.

In a telephone interview, Mabvura, said he was devastated to have lost his father at a stage his career is on a recovery path.

“It is painful and I am so hurt that I have lost my father at this time when my career is on a recovery path.

“I would have wanted him to be around to see my successes. Anyway, that is the will of the Almighty and all I can say is that may his dear soul rest in peace,” said Mabvura.

Mabvura has been a vital cog in the Ngezi Platinum line up after scoring eight goals plus15 assists in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League this season.

Apart from the goals that he scored, stats indicate that Mabvura has been directly involved in 23 of the club’s 51 goals this season and he can still add more in the remaining three fixtures.

In the eyes of many neutrals, if Ngezi Platinum finally wins the Castle Lager Premiership title then the Soccer Star of the Year gong belongs to the former Dynamos player who has been by far the most consistent player in the team.

Owing to very little game time, Mabvura was largely unknown during his time at Dynamos even though he won four league titles with the Glamour Boys in his half a decade stay at the Harare giants.