Onward Gangata, [email protected]
SHORTLY after the final whistle of Hardrock’s 2-0 win over Bulawayo Chiefs on Saturday, there was a great deal of bromance between Hardrock fans and top goal scorer, Washington Navaya.
The striker was on the score sheet when he thrust the Kwekwe side into the lead with a 62nd penalty.
That was not just an ordinary goal, it was a goal that wrote Navaya’s name into immortality.
It was his 17th of the campaign as he matched his tally from the previous season when he won the top goal scorer and Soccer Star of the year award.
Navaya became the only player in recent memory to have won the golden boot and still go on to match his goal tally from the previous season.
And that did not go unnoticed as the team went over to the Kasongo end for their lap of honour; the fans called Navaya to the stands.
The striker obliged, crossed over to the foot of the terraces and one fan warmly embraced the striker in appreciation of his efforts.
Thereafter, a few others came over for a huddle and group hug as the Hardrock family celebrated ascending to the top of the table.
For a player who had a hard time settling in at the club in the early stages of the season when the fans didn’t quite believe in him,the gesture meant everything to the Gweru-bred player.
“When the fans are happy, it gives me strength to keep scoring,” he told the Zimpapers Sports Hub.
“This is what drives us as players to keep working hard and posting good results and have the team doing well. Many thanks to our supporters for standing by us.”
Navaya now sits clear at the top of the goal scorers chart with 17 goals and looks set to retain the golden boot.
He now has his sights on reaching the 20 goal mark and ultimately shattering Norman Maroto’s 16-year record of 22 goals while playing for Gunners in 2010.
“Scoring goals is not easy, it is a team effort. It’s not something I do on my own, we work together with my teammates and coaches.
“If we keep working hard as a team like we have been doing in the past games, I’m sure the goals will come,”added the former Highlanders and TelOne forward.
Five goals in four matches is what Navaya needs to break Maroto’s record, the next coming weeks are definitely not going to be easy for defenders.
