Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE stage is set for a potentially intriguing Castle Lager Premiership Golden Boot race after the top two leading scorers broke into double figures at the weekend.
Herentals captain Ralph Kawondera, who has led the race for several weeks, was on target again as the Students stunned giants CAPS United 2-1 at Rufaro on Saturday to take his tally to 10 goals.
Kawondera was joined on 10 goals by last year’s Golden Boot winner Washington Navaya after the forward fired Hardrock to a 4-0 thumping of ZPC Kariba at Chahwanda on Sunday.
On the same weekend, Dynamos’ Ghanaian import Frank Agyemang kept pressure on the leading scorers when he bagged his ninth goal of the season in the 1-1 draw at Highlanders.
Former Zimbabwe international Khama Billiat was also not to be outdone with his goal in the 2-0 win at Ngezi Platinum, taking his tally to eight goals, just two behind Kawondera and Navaya, with 15 rounds of play in the marathon.
Veteran Knowledge Musona, who has been in blistering form of late, is also lurking closer to the top with seven goals.
This partly explains how tightly contested the Golden Boot could be this season, unlike in previous years when competition was lukewarm.
Kawondera, who turns 36 years old in August, believes he has enough energy in the tank to continue with the journey with modest Harare-based side Herentals.
“I am happy I have now reached double figures,” he told Zimpapers Sports Hub yesterday.
“I think my previous best was 12 goals in 2018 (at Triangle), and now it looks like I may be able to surpass it.
“But for me, the team comes first. I always play for the team, and scoring these goals is one way that I am contributing to the Herentals’ success.
“So, I would like to thank my teammates, especially Honourable (Innocent) Benza, because they have all been there for me always.
“Without these guys, it was going to be difficult to be talking about this topic at the moment. So, we hope to continue playing as a team and taking each game as it comes. It’s not about individual glory,” said Kawondera.
Like fine wine, Kawondera appears to be improving with age, and he credits his football talent to his background.
Interestingly, Kawondera has proved himself capable as he has been deployed in different positions; sometimes as centre-back, holding midfielder, and also as a striker depending on the team’s needs.
“I think my experience has helped me a lot to adapt to different positions. I have played football at the top level for about 15 years, and I have featured regularly in all these positions for the teams I played for,” said Kawondera.
Herentals coach Paul Benza has also tipped the utility man to succeed after lifting Herentals to third place on the log standings. The victory over early-season pacesetters CAPS United took them to 33 points, seven behind log leaders Scottland.
“We are all excited with the form he is showing. Nothing beats experience,” said Benza.
“We have used him in different positions depending on the needs of the team and the demands of the game. He has even featured at center-back, but he has still managed to lead the scoring charts.”
His now faces a real challenge from Navaya, who appears to have rediscovered his scoring form after a slow start to the campaign.
The reigning Soccer Star of the Year has been the driving force behind HardRock’s impressive Castle Lager Premier Soccer League debut, bagging 10 goals in 19 matches so far this season.
His brace in the Kwekwe side’s 4-0 win over ZPC Kariba took his team back to second place on 35 points, five behind leaders Scottland.
After making the switch from TelOne to Hardrock during the off-season, Navaya set himself a modest target of reaching double figures this season.
He had a false start at first, with HardRock fans turning on him as he struggled to replicate the form that powered him to 17 goals and the Golden Boot last season.
However, in his last two matches at home, he has scored four goals, bringing his tally to 10.
“My initial target was to reach double figures in terms of goals. Now that I have achieved that, I am now looking to match or even surpass my tally of 17 goals from last season. All credit goes to my teammates and coaches, who have always stood by me,” Navaya told Zimpapers Sports Hub.
Dynamos’ Agyemang is not too far behind, on nine goals with the veteran duo of Billiat and Musona breathing hard on his heels.
“First of all, I give thanks to God. It’s been God since day one and my teammates here have been helping me,” said Agyemang.
“The coach (Genesis Mangombe) has always been encouraging me to do more. Even if I am starting from the bench, I have always grabbed the opportunities to play positively.
“I am expecting more this season. The fans should expect more too. I cannot say I will get the Golden Boot, but I believe in myself. If I get it, I will not be shocked. I have to continue working hard.”
The last 15 rounds of the PSL season promise excitement. Billiat looks dangerous on eight goals, while Musona has recently taken his tally to seven goals following a goal-scoring spree.
The two have been fuelling Scottland’s imperious form, with the champions extending their winning run to six matches at Ngezi Platinum Stars on Saturday.
Meanwhile, a crowd of 15 001 paying supporters turned out for Sunday’s Battle of Zimbabwe at Barbourfields, re-affirming the enduring appeal of the country’s biggest football fixture despite entry challenges experienced by some fans before kick-off.
The massive attendance for the clash between Highlanders and Dynamos was one of the biggest crowds seen in domestic football this season.
