Setback for Manondo in Golden Boot race

Lawrence Moyo-Head Zimpapers Sports Hub

CAPS United hitman and Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Golden Boot front runner, William Manondo will miss an opportunity to add his goal tally this weekend.

Manondo headlines a list of 10 suspensions going into MatchDay 30 fixtures this weekend.

He is the joint top-scorer with 12 goals together with Khama Billiat of Yadah and Lynoth Chikuhwa of High-landers.

With five rounds of matches left before the end of the season, every game is now golden to the goalscorers.

And for Manondo, missing a home game against relegation-threatened Bulawayo Chiefs will hurt.

The consolation, however, is that Manondo’s main rivals face tough matches on the road in his absence this weekend.

Billiat will travel to Zvishavane where Yadah take on title-chasing FC Platinum at Mandava on Saturday.

He featured for the Warriors in the back-to-back 2025 AFCON qualifiers against Namibia in South Africa and was an unused substitute against Dynamos in the re-arranged Chibuku Super Cup quarter-final at Rufaro on Wednesday.

Chikuhwa will travel to Sakubva as Highlanders face unpredictable Manica Diamonds, who have the league’s best defence so far.

Manica Diamonds have conceded just 16 goals in 29 matches and will, on this statistic, make life difficult for Chikuhwa and company.

Apart from Billiat and Chikuhwa, other goalscorers hoping to capitalise on the “misfortunes” facing the leading trio this weekend. Takunda Benhura entered the fray last weekend as he scored a hat-trick in Ngezi Platinum’s 6-0 drubbing of Hwange in a re-arranged match at Baobab.

He is now on 10 goals and will be at home against struggling newcomers, Chegutu Pirates on Saturday.

Simba Bhora’s Tymon Machope, who is stuck on nine goals, will need to rediscover his scoring touch as the champions-in-waiting visit stubborn Herentals at Rufaro on Saturday.

Machope is still within striking distance and will have less pressure with Simba Bhora, who now need just seven points from the remaining five matches to clinch the Premiership title.

Week 30 suspensions

1. William Manondo (CAPS United)

2. Hastings Chapusha (CAPS United)

3. Obriel Chirinda (Ngezi Platinum)

4. Donald Mudadi (Dynamos)

5. Elton Chikona (Dynamos)

6. Clemence Zimondi (Herentals)

7. Brian Gijimani (Arenel Movers)

8. Washington Navaya (TelOne)

9. Stanley Ngala (ZPC Kariba)

10. Arron Dzingai (Chegutu Pirates)

Leading Scorers