JDR Stars striker Ishmael Wadi has admitted that he is vying for the Golden Boot Award in the ongoing Motsepe Foundation Championship.
Wadi said this after scoring his fifth league goal of the season on Friday when JDR beat Tshakuma Tsha Tshakuma 1-0.
“Yes, l am eyeing the Golden Boot but l know it is not going to be easy so, l have to work harder,” he told FARPost.
The winger rose the highest to head home the lone goal at Soshanguwe Giant Stadium in Pretoria.
The former Caps United player added on to the hattrick he netted in the 6-0 demolition of Magesi FC earlier this season.
He also scored once in the 2-1 win over Polokwane City last month.
MOVING CLOSER TO LEADING SCORERS
The latest goal saw Wadi moving to within two goals behind leading scorer Keanu Cupido of Cape Town Spurs.
The Zimbabwean said he owes his Golden Boot Award ambition to the support of teammates.
“To be honest, it is a good feeling to score a goal and winning the game. Credit goes to the whole team,” Wadi said.
The Warriors striker attributed JDR’s strong start to the season to depth in squad.
“I think this season, we have a very good squad with too much depth,” he said.
Wadi said JDR were capable of challenging for DStv Premiership promotion.
“l just hope and pray that we will improve this season than what we did last season,” he added.
JDR lie fourth on the log table, seven points behind leaders Polokwane.
Wadi scored nine goals in 29 appearances for JDR last season.
He also impressed in the Warriors colours at the 2021 delayed AFCON finals held in Cameroon between January and February this year.
WORRIED OVER WARRIORS
The winger is understandably worried that the Warriors remain suspended from football following FIFA’s ban of Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA).
“It is painful not to have a national team right now, even if you can ask everyone in Zimbabwe, it is a painful situation,” he said.
FIFA banned the FAs for Kenya and Zimbabwe in February this year due to their respective government’s interference in the running of football affairs.
FIFA meted out the punishment after Zimbabwe Sports Council had dissolved ZIFA board, citing sexual harassment of female referees and fraud.
The world football controlling body has since lifted the ban on Kenya FA.
