dyton mupawaenda
Eddie Chikamhi-Senior Sports Reporter
THE staging of the Castle Lager Premiership matches during the FIFA international break is likely to disadvantage joint leading scorer Obriel Chirinda in the race for the Golden Boot as he will miss the penultimate round of club football this weekend because of national team duty.
The stocky Bulawayo Chiefs marksman has been the front runner in this year’s top goal scorer charts, sharing competition with Mania Diamonds’ Fortune Binzi, until recently when goals appeared to dry up for the two strikers.
Chirinda is now tied on 12 goals with Takunda Benhura of Ngezi Platinum Stars while strong competition is coming from Simba Bhora’s Tinashe Balakasi, who has since matched Binzi on 10 goals.
The quartet of in-form former Golden Boot winner Rodwell Chinyengetere, Moses Demera of ZPC Kariba and Chicken Inn’s Marlvin Hwata and Michael Charamba are not far off with nine goals each.
CAPS United’s William Manondo won the 2022 Golden Boot with 17 goals but has struggled this year. He has scored eight, going into the last two rounds of play. Makepekepe are set to travel to Gibbo to face relegation-threatened Triangle.
But Chirinda will not be available for Bulawayo Chiefs for their lunch time kick-off against Herentals at the National Sports Stadium this Sunday.
He is part of the Zimbabwe national football team currently in Rwanda for the FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.
He was a second half substitute when the Warriors played a goalless draw against Rwanda at the Huye stadium on Wednesday and could also play a part when Baltemar Brito’s men engage Nigeria in the second game of the marathon at the same venue on Sunday.
But Chirinda could be a victim of circumstances due to the decision by the Premier Soccer League not to observe the FIFA window.
He missed last Sunday’s 2-0 home victory over Triangle when the Warriors began camp, the same weekend that Golden Boot rivals Benhura, Balakasi, Chinyengetere and Hwata were adding to their tallies.
Bulawayo Chiefs coach Johannes Nhumwa thinks his forward has been disadvantaged as the Ninjas are bracing up for the tough battle against Herentals.
“I don’t know what is happening, but this is unfair on him (Chirinda). I am sure if he was there last week when we played Triangle he could also have added to his tally.
“This weekend again he cannot play and obviously his competitors are likely to gain more ground. It will be unfair if he doesn’t win the Golden Boot because he deserved it considering the effort he had put in this year.
“He is also an influential figure in our squad and his absence always comes as a blow to us. We needed him in the remaining games to make sure our safety is guaranteed.
“At this moment when we have about five key players, including Chirinda, unavailable for selection. The others like Danny Phiri, Ben Nyahunzvi and Felix Moyo are nursing injuries,” said Nhumwa.
Fixtures:
Tomorrow: Chicken Inn v Yadah (Luveve), FC Platinum v Hwange (Mandava), Black Rhinos v Sheasham (Bata), ZPC Kariba v Simba Bhora (Nyamhunga), Ngezi Platinum Stars v Cranborne Bullets (Baobab), Triangle v CAPS United (Gibbo), Dynamos v GreenFuel (NSS)
Sunday: Manica Diamonds v Highlanders (Gibbo, 1pm), Herentals v Bulawayo Chiefs (NSS, 1pm)
Online Reporter