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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
The championship race is the main draw card on the last day of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League but equally interesting is the Golden Boot accolade.Two players, both from the Southern Region – Charles Sibanda of Highlanders and How Mine’s gunman Kuda Musharu are tied on 12 goals going into the final week of the 2014 season.
The Golden Boot accolade is accompanied by a $1,500 cheque good enough to make a perfect early Christmas present for either of the two forwards.
Going for the final push, it is advantage Musharu because the gold miners’ striker was on target when How Mine beat Bantu Rovers 3-0 while Sibanda has gone for eight league matches without a goal.
Highlanders will be home to Chapungu on the last day while How Mine travel to Harare for a date with defending champions Dynamos.
“Obviously it’s every player’s dream to win the top goal scorer’s award and as a striker I’m also hoping to bag it. It’s been a tough season where I’ve blown hot and cold but the good thing is that I’ve been able to help my team escape relegation. If I fail to land the Golden Boot award at least I can have solace in the fact that How Mine will still be in the Premiership next season,” said Musharu.
He knows about the pressure that awaits them when they travel for their game against Dynamos and remains confident of scoring.
“I’ll score against Dynamos. I can feel it in me and after the goal against Bantu Rovers my confidence is back.”
Musharu started the season on song and many thought that he was going to land the top goal scorer’s gong with ease but somewhere along the season he ran out of batteries.
If Sibanda beats Musharu for the accolade, he will become Highlanders’ third ever player to land the award since 1996.
The other two players from Highlanders to win the lethal boot award during the same period are Zenzo Moyo, who won it in 2000 after scoring 21 goals and Ralph Matema in 2006 with 19 goals.
Last season, Tendai Ndoro grabbed the award with 18 goals.
“Anything can happen on the last day. I’ve been working hard throughout the season but the goals just eluded me. My initial target was to score more than the last year’s winner but that’s no longer possible. I believe what will be more important going for the last game is for the team to win convincingly which will be good for the guys and supporters who want to end the season on a high note,” said Sibanda.
Online Reporter