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THE Southern Region Soccer League has started the year on a good footing following Nokel Security’s decision to continue bankrolling the monthly top goal scorer’s award.
This is the second year running that the Bulawayo-based security company is partnering Zifa Southern Region in a bid to make the league more competitive and exciting.
Kenneth Mhlophe, Nokel Security director, said he hoped the $150 award will inspire strikers and attacking midfielders to score more goals than they did in 2015.
Last season’s top marksman award was shared between Bantu Rovers’ striker Lenience “Qobho” Mpofu and Bekithemba Nyoni of Technosphere, who scored 10 goals each, which was 13 goals less than the 23 scored by Edmore Chirambadare in the 2014 season.
“As a company, we’re happy that our monthly award played a significant role in motivating players last season as there were a number of midfielders who were rewarded throughout the season. That (midfielders winning the award) made us see value in partnering Zifa and in a way give back to the community that we work with,” said Mhlophe.
“We’re continuing with this partnership and it’s our hope that top-notch strikers will emerge because of the motivation that we’re giving to clubs.”
In 2015, James Chivasa of Ntabazinduna won the first prize in April and then shared the May award with Lungile Nyathi of Amagagasi, Collen Tshuma of Indlovu Iyanyathela and ZPC Kariba’s Admire Banda after scoring four goals each.
Bulawayo Chiefs’ Kundishora Chakanyuka landed the accolade after netting three goals in June. Bekithemba Nyoni of Technosphere and the Bantu Rovers’ duo of Lenience Mpofu and Bukhosi Sibanda shared the July award, with the trio of Thabani Moyo (Bulawayo Chiefs), Alfred Mehlomakhulu (Indlovu Iyanyathela) and Nust’s Taluso Ndlovu sharing the August accolade. Manyando Zulu of Technosphere became the league’s 12th player to win the monthly award in September.
Former Bulawayo Chiefs winger Ishmael Wadi, who has joined FC Platinum, won the October accolade.
On a lighter note, Mhlophe, himself a bonafide Highlanders’ member, said he wishes to see players from his club winning the award.
“It’s not a secret that I support Highlanders and it would be nice to see boys from our Under-19 that have been promoted into Division One winning the Nokel Security monthly award. However, this isn’t to say that if they fail I’ll be bitter because there’s a lot that I’ve done for the club and sponsoring the monthly scorer’s award is part of my company’s corporate social responsibility,” said Mhlophe.
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