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Eddie Chikamhi, Senior Sports Reporter
THE Golden Boot race is likely to produce an interesting sideshow in the remainder of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League marathon.
With surprise packages Simba Bhora dominating the league title race after opening a nine-point gap after Wednesday’s Match-Day 27 round of fixtures, attention has also shifted to the individual scoring charts.
The trio of Lynoth Chikuhwa (Highlanders), William Manondo (CAPS United) and Yadah’s Khama Billiat are jointly setting the pace on 11 goals apiece.
Simba Bhora’s Tymon Machope is also in the puzzle with 10 goals, and so is his teammate Walter Musona, who has scored nine times in this fairytale season for the ambitious Shamva side.
But it is the comeback by Bosso forward Chikuhwa that has been impressive, as the Bulawayo giants look up to him again today when they face bogey side FC Platinum in what appears a difficult away assignment at Mandava.
Chikuhwa has scored four goals in Bosso’s last three league outings this month to join the leading pack.
The rest of the Premier Soccer League’s strikers have continued to operate in fits and starts.
Chikuhwa was on target in Highlanders’ shock 1-2 home defeat to Herentals and was on a brace in another stunning 2-3 defeat to CAPS United at Rufaro.
His purple patch continued during the midweek, when scoring the opener in Bosso’s 2-0 win over struggling minnows Arenel Movers in a Bulawayo derby at Barbourfields on Wednesday.
But the question for many of the Highlanders’ fans, is whether he will be able to continue with his form against former champions FC Platinum this afternoon or in the games that will follow the trip to Mandava?
Billiat has done his bit to prove Doubting Thomases wrong.
Although the 34-year-old will not be available for Yadah’s clash with CAPS United at Rufaro tomorrow, he looks a sure bet for the Golden Boot because of both his pedigree and current form.
His solitary strike during the midweek was all the Miracle Boys needed to claim maximum points against Herentals at the Heart Stadium, where he has scored nine of his 11 goals.
His absence could boost the chances for Manondo to reclaim some advantage.
Manondo has, however, been inconsistent, scoring just one goal to his name in the last month.
With many strikers struggling to score with regularity, it has meant that Machope and Musona remain in the race despite enduring a goal drought.
Machope remains in sight of the leading pack despite having last scored a league goal in over a month.
His 10 goals could give him the urge to fight on.
Musona, on nine goals, has also not found the back of the nets since August 31 when Simba Bhora beat Bikita Minerals at Wadzanayi.
But the pair is expected to play a big part when they lead Simba Bhora’s charge against defending champions Ngezi Platinum at Baobab today.
Although the Golden Boot looks like it is set for an intriguing finale, the players would need to sharpen their spears.
There are only seven games left before the curtain comes down on the 2024 campaign and it is becoming highly unlikely that the 20-goal ceiling will be breached.
The late Norman Maroto, who died earlier in June, was the last player to achieve the feat with his 22 goals scored in the 2010 season.
But what looks more certain is that this year’s tally will surpass Takunda Benhura’s paltry 13 goals which won the Ngezi Platinum forward the Golden Boot last season.
Online Reporter