HARARE - Since the inauguration of the Mbada Diamonds Cup last year, no individual has dominated the competition as has Monomotapa livewire midfielder Ronald Chitiyo.

“Rooney”, as he is affectionately known by his Monomotapa teammates and fans alike, has been in a class of his own with his dribbling wizardry, which has won him many admirers across the country.

The 20-year-old emerging star got off to a bright start in the first round of the Mbada Cup against Hardbody, scoring what still stands as the quickest goal of the tournament, a mere 35 seconds into the match.

Ably complemented by Russell Madamombe, Hillary Mugoniwa and Kuda Musharu, the Epworth-raised Chitiyo went on to complete a hat-trick in Monoz’s 3-0 rout of Hardbody.

With that, Chitiyo became the first player to score a hat-trick in the infant history of the tournament.

Monoz went on to meet Highlanders in the quarter-finals at the Colliery in Hwange.

The Bulawayo giants were quick off the blocks, racing to a 2-0 lead inside the first 20 minutes through double-scorer Bheki Ncube.

But their lead was short-lived with Chitiyo setting up the first Monomotapa goal scored through the head of Osborne Mukuradare before Madamombe levelled matters moments later.

The comeback was well and truly complete when a marvellous build-up involving Chitiyo and Madamombe set up Mugoniwa, who let rip a cracker that beat Highlanders goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda.

Chitiyo was substituted on the stroke of full-time, but his contribution to the match did not go unnoticed, with neutrals at the Colliery giving him a standing ovation.

Befittingly, Chitiyo pocketed the man-of-the-match accolade, worth $500.

The 2012 Soccer Star of the Year finalist went on to put another heart-stopping performance in Monomotapa’s 1- 0 semi-final win over FC Platinum.

But with Monoz goalkeeper Artwell Mukandi making some top-drawer saves to keep Chinomakwa nani in the game, it was a toss-up between Chityo and Mukandi for man-of-the-match.

The award was later given to the Monoz shot stopper after a lengthy debate amongst reporters covering the match.

Chitiyo’s three goals so far in the tournament —ahead of the final against Dynamos on Saturday —put him in the running for the $1 000 top-goal scorer award, in addition to the $1 500-worth player-of-the-tournament accolade he is favoured to scoop.