Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere, Zimpapers Sports Hub
WASHINGTON Navaya has turned the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Golden Boot chase into a nail-biter. The TelOne striker struck his 13th goal of the season to stay one ahead of Scottland’s Tymon Machope as the top flight’s goal tally reached 443.
Navaya has been in inspired form for the WiFi Boys and continues to hold off Machope in a campaign already rich in goals and drama. So far 33 of those goals have come from the penalty spot, while 10 have been own goals. TelOne captain Frank Makarati accounted for two of them, including one in last weekend’s 1-0 loss to visiting MWOS.
The league will pause this weekend for the Chibuku Super Cup quarter finals, but it has already produced four hat tricks and 25 braces. Chicken Inn’s Brighton Makopa set the standard with a four-goal show in a 4-0 rout of Kwekwe United.
Red cards have been flying too, with referees flashing 23 so far, and defences have proved stubborn, 46 matches have ended goalless, while 87 have finished as draws.
The chasing pack is still busy. Chicken Inn’s Brian Muza moved to five goals after Week 28, joining Jarrison Selemani of FC Platinum and Ngezi Platinum Stars’ Talent Chamboko. Selemani scored when FC Platinum edged Highlanders 1-0 at Mandava Stadium, while Chamboko found the net in Ngezi’s 2-0 win over ZPC Kariba.
Manica Diamonds striker Evans Katema also scored as his side beat GreenFuel 2-1. For GreenFuel, Adrian Silla netted his first goal of the season, while Fitzgerald Banda opened his account for Bikita Minerals.
Meanwhile, Highlanders forward Reason Sibanda has been named Players’ Player of the Month for August after a string of eye-catching performances. He received a certificate and a US$500 cash prize courtesy of the Business Friends of Bosso.
Top scorers
13 – Washington Navaya (TelOne)
12 – Tymon Machope (Scottland)
11 – Billy Veremu (MWOS)
9 – Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya (FC Platinum), Reason Sibanda (Highlanders), Isasker Guribsab (Simba Bhora)
7 – Innocent Masiiwa (Bikita Minerals), Charles Munyanyi (ZPC Kariba)
6 – Aaron Zekhaa (Triangle), Francis Mustafa (Yadah)
5 – Obriel Chirinda (Ngezi Platinum), Junior Makunike (Simba Bhora), Tawanda Macheke (TelOne), Jarrison Selemani (FC Platinum), Milton Chimedza (TelOne), Fanuel Shoko (ZPC Kariba), Brian Muza (Chicken Inn), Talent Chamboko (Ngezi Platinum)
