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Innocent Kurira Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO Chiefs forward Obriel Chirinda says he will not lose sleep over missing out on the 2023 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Golden Boot.
He will now look to build on his performance to improve his tally next season.
Chirinda found the back of the net 12 times this season and is one goal shy of the joint top goal scorers Takunda Benhura from Ngezi Platinum Stars and Moses Demera from ZPC Kariba.
William Manondo won the Golden Boot accolade last year with 17 goals.
Once again, the strikers failed to surpass the 20-goal mark, a feat that has not been achieved by any Zimbabwean player in over a decade, but that now appears impossible.
Norman Maroto was the last to achieve that when he banged 22 goals for Gunners in 2010.
Chirinda rates the just-ended season as one of his best seasons.
“First of all, l would like to thank my teammates, family, technical team and the Bulawayo Chiefs family as a whole for helping me become the player that l am today. I thought it was an amazing season for me. From day one, we were grinding to get something as a team.
“I think l have played well and 12 goals are really special. Now l can only look forward to next season. On the last day, l did not manage to make it right on my side in terms of scoring, but l still think this is one of my best seasons,” said Chirinda.
He says it will be an honour if he makes this season’s Soccer Stars selection list.
“Congratulations to whoever will get the golden boot. I am happy for them. Missing out this year only creates a hunger in me to do even better next season. I think it was a tough season. I will be just waiting for the nominees. If l make the best 11, it’s going to be an awesome achievement for me,” said Chirinda.
At some point Chirinda was a goalkeeper while playing for the juniors, but because of his height disadvantage, his development coaches encouraged him to improve on his infield style.
As a primary school student at Mahlathini Primary in Cowdray Park, Chirinda played for a local team before moving to Highlanders’ Under-13s in 2007 where he linked up with present Bosso player Godfrey Makaruse, Chicken Inn’s central defender Itai Mabhunu and goalkeeper Wandile Ndlovu.
Chirinda also played for EM Sport Academy where he trained under Field “Stokee” Mlambo from Under-15s up to Division Three.
He has also played for Chicken Inn in the top-flight league.
Online Reporter