Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
TINASHE BALAKASI yesterday said Agama should fight tooth and nail to ensure that his scoring prowess will not be in vain at the end of the Northern Region Soccer League season.
The lanky forward grabbed a brace at the weekend to floor Karoi United and ensure the Mt Darwin team maintained just a point behind leaders N’ombeyawora in the promotion race.
The two goals also propelled him onto the Golden Boot leaderboard, along with N’ombeyawora’s Russel Chifura, with 12 goals in 29 games.
While Balakasi, who holds the NRSL all-time record of 29 goals in a single season, is the favourite to win the Golden Boot, he stressed the individual honour will mean nothing if Agama fail to win promotion.
“I love scoring and it is what I am doing, of course, thanks to my teammates who supply the balls.
“But, I am honestly not so much interested in winning the Golden Boot accolade but rather seeing Agama getting promoted.
“It is the talk of the town in Mt Darwin with our passionate supporters and residents always discussing about that prospect.
“I am very happy to be scoring but if you look at my numbers, I am not always on the scoresheet. I am working more for the team.
“Ours is a collective effort as a team. We are very much aware of the need for us to raise the standards and match the expectations of our community. So, for me, either to score or not, I know I have a huge responsibility to help Agama win promotion.”
The Paul Chimalinzeni charges have won their last four matches to take their tally to 65 points, one behind the Mabvuku pacesetters, going into the last nine games of the season.
They travel to Norton this afternoon for a date against unpredictable MWOS U19 at Ngoni Stadium.
“This is the run-in and there are no easy games at all,” said Balakasi.
“MWOS U19 is a tricky customer and every team in the league can attest to that. They have very good youngsters and do not lack in seasoned players as well.
“We are taking each game with both caution and a lot of fight. We are second in the league and the goal is to be first. How then does that happen?
“It’s simple. We have nothing to really lose. We should be ruthless going on the offence and pocket every available point. But we are fully alive to the fact that every team also need the points at this juncture.”
Elsewhere N’ombeyawora host Black Mambas at the Heart Stadium while third-placed Golden Eagles entertain Chinhoyi Stars at Ellis Robins.
