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Veronica Gwaze-Sports Reporter
HE missed 14 of the season 2024 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League games, but Obriel Chirinda has not written himself out of the Golden Boot race.
The Ngezi Platinum Stars striker feels that he still stands a chance to bag the prestigious gong if he can maintain his current form.
Chirinda got off to a delayed start to the season as he was embroiled in a contractual battle that involved the champions and Dynamos.
In the three games that he eventually featured for the champions after they won the legal battle, he netted an equal number of goals and went on to be voted the June Player of the Month.
Considering the lack of consistency that the other PSL goal scorers have shown in the first half of the season, Chirinda may catch up on the race.
Currently, CAPS United’s William Manondo tops the charts with eight goals from 17 matches while Bikita Minerals’ Evans Katema and Lynoth Chikuhwa of Highlanders have netted seven each.
“I do not want to put myself under pressure because I believe that the best way to get results is to go out there and just enjoy the game,” he said.
“I enjoy playing and scoring goals and also assisting my mates score so having to helplessly sit out there tore me deep down.
“It was a tough phase, it is heart-breaking for any player to watch helplessly as your mate struggle . . . you want to share the joys and tears.”
Ironically, after missing the 2023 Golden Boot with a mere goal last season, Chirinda had planned to start the new season on a high.
Chirinda had missed several games due to a combination of injury and national team commitments.
Off season, he put himself on a tight shift as he pushed to perfect his art in front of goal.
He also set himself a target to surpass the 12 goals that he netted last season.
But for the opening 14 match days of 2024, he was on the terraces and watched in dismay as his side got off to a stuttering start.
This, said Chirinda, had him gradually losing hope of ever playing this season.
When he got the news that he had finally been cleared to play, the striker, visibly on a mission, got down to serious business.
On his debut, he came in as a substitute to score a late goal and emphasise Ngezi’s championship race resurgence as they thrashed Chicken Inn 3-0 at Baobab Stadium.
On fire, Takunda Benhura and Talent Chamboko gave the champions the other two goals.
That day, Chirinda left a mark in the hearts of Ngezi’s army of delirious teammates and ecstatic fans.
“When the good news came, I did not believe it until I saw my name on the match day squad,” he recalled.
“Even as I sat in the dugout in the first minutes of the game, I kept asking myself if I was indeed going to play.
“When I finally came in, I quickly forgot about the games I had missed and all I wanted to do was give Ngezi exactly what they employed me to do.
“I was excited to finally get the opportunity to play.”
The striker notes that he has enjoyed scoring goals since his time at Bulawayo Chiefs.
Even when he was grounded from PSL games, Chirinda would train with his team and score goals for fun.
“That is what I enjoy doing, banging goals and assisting mates to score more,” he said.
“My mission is to add value to the team through scoring and creating goal-scoring chances for others.
“I believe that together with Benhura, we can catch up on the race, all we need is consistency.”
Currently, Ngezi sit third on the log table with 30 points in 17 games with ambitious Simba at number four with an equal number of points and an inferior goal difference.
FC Platinum and Manica occupy the top two spots with 35 and 32 points respectively.
Online Reporter