Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere, [email protected]
THE Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) has already delivered an impressive 465 goals after 27 rounds of action, setting the scene for what promises to be an equally entertaining weekend as focus shifts to the Zifa Munhumutapa Challenge Cup.
With the top-flight league programme taking a break to accommodate the national knockout competition, the scoring exploits witnessed across the PSL this season provide an exciting backdrop to a cup tournament that has steadily captured the attention of football fans around the country.
The numbers tell the story of a campaign packed with attacking intent, with an average of more than 17 goals scored per round. Several of the league’s leading forwards have been at the heart of that goal-scoring spectacle.
Leading the race for the Golden Boot is Hardrock striker Washington Navaya, whose outstanding form has seen him score 15 goals after Week 27.
Navaya’s goals have played a significant role in Hardrock’s impressive debut Premiership season, with the Kwekwe side emerging as one of the league’s biggest success stories.
Hot on his heels are Dynamos striker Frank Agyemang, Herentals forward Ralph Kawondera and Scottland talisman Khama Billiat, who have each scored 11 goals.
Scottland’s attacking prowess is further highlighted by Knowledge Musona, who has found the back of the net 10 times, while Walter Musona has added nine goals to the club’s tally.
MWOS striker Wilson Mensha has scored eight goals, while Hardrock’s Wilfred Madzunga,
Highlanders’ Benjamin Adeogun and Simba Bhora’s Harrison Masina have each contributed seven.
The scoring statistics, however, reveal a much broader picture than the exploits of a handful of star forwards.
Players from virtually every team in the Premiership have chipped in with goals, underlining the attacking depth that has characterised this season’s campaign.
Among those with three goals are Agama’s Grey Kufandada and Ralph Nyamapurika, Bulawayo
Chiefs duo Anesu Saiti and Clive Rupiya, Caps United’s Allen Mukombedzi, Kudzanai Chigwida and
Chris Mugalu, as well as Dynamos pair Abel Gwatidzo and Leeroy Mavhunga.
Hardrock also continue to feature prominently among the scorers, with Sambulo Semelane and
Donald Mudadi on three goals, while FC Hunters have Godfrey Dabgwa, Ellie Iunga and
Tadiwanashe Huni among players in the same category.
The list of players with two goals is equally lengthy, further highlighting the wealth of attacking talent spread across the league.
Attention now turns to the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup, where that attacking quality will be tested in a completely different environment.
The knockout competition has already produced some memorable upsets, proving once again that cup football often ignores league status and reputation.
Hwange shocked Dynamos with a 1-0 victory, Blackrock knocked out Highlanders in a penalty shootout, while Jordan survived a tense shootout against Gwanda Pirates to book a place in the
Round of 16.
This weekend, the remaining teams will set aside their league ambitions and focus on pursuing cup glory.
For Premiership clubs, the task will be to avoid becoming the latest high-profile casualty in a competition that has already produced several surprises. For lower-division sides, the tournament offers another opportunity to test themselves against some of the country’s most established clubs and perhaps write another chapter in the competition’s growing list of giant-killing feats.
And with the PSL having already produced 465 goals, there is every reason to expect more drama, excitement and attacking football in the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup.
Particular attention will be directed towards Navaya, whose 15-goal tally has made him one of the most feared forwards in the domestic game this season.
Hardrock’s Round of 16 clash against Jordan at Luveve Stadium on Sunday could provide another opportunity for the prolific striker to strengthen his position at the top of the scoring charts.
The PSL may be taking a short break, but the action is far from over.
The relentless pace of a 465-goal league campaign now gives way to the unforgiving nature of knockout football, where a single mistake can end a season’s dream and one moment of brilliance can create lasting memories.
The goals have flowed freely in the league. Now the focus shifts to the cup, where the stakes are even higher and the drama is only just beginning.
Munhumutapa Cup
Weekend Fixtures
Saturday
FC Hunters vs Hwange (Wadzanayi), FC Platinum vs Blackrock (Mandava), Chilli vs Bulaweayo Chiefs (Ascot), Scottland vs MWOS Under 19 (Rufaro)
Sunday
Triangle v Blanket Mine (Gibbo), Jordan vs Hardrock (Luveve), CAPS United v Manica Diamonds (Rufaro)-@FungaiMuderere
