Legendary Zambian striker Collins Mbesuma, known for his prolific goal-scoring exploits during his time at Kaizer Chiefs, has delivered a stinging critique of South African strikers.
Mbesuma, who is currently a striker coach at Sekhukhune United, graced the SA elite league for more than 10 years, and his most notable stint was at Chiefs, where he cemented his status as one of the league’s lethal forwards.
His journey through the PSL also saw him represent other notable clubs such as Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns, Golden Arrows, Moroka Swallows, and Mpumalanga Black Aces.
The 2004/05 season was a standout year for Mbesuma, as he netted an astonishing 25 goals in a single season. This remarkable achievement remains a benchmark and a record in the PSL, with Siyabonga Nomvethe coming closest in 2011/12 with 20 goals.
Since then, no South African striker has matched or surpassed Mbesuma’s goal-scoring record in a single league season. Some of the notable goal-scorers in recent years include the late Richard Henyekane [19 goals for Golden Arrows in 2008/09], Katlego Mphela [17 goals for Sundowns in 2009/10], and Tshegofatso Mabasa [16 goals for Orlando Pirates in 2022/23].
Interestingly, Peter Shaluile, a Namibian striker, has dominated the PSL’s Golden Boot Award in recent years, winning it three times in the past five seasons.
COLLINS MBESUMA SAYS SA STRIKERS LACK HUNGER
With SA strikers failing to hit the 20-goal mark since 2011, ‘Ntofontofo’ believes forwards born in the country are in their comfort zone and lack the hunger and drive that characterized his generation.
Foreign strikers have been thriving in SA and are often driven by a strong desire to prove themselves, like Shalulile, who has dominated the league’s scoring charts in recent years.
“I think the foreign strikers are hungry; I won’t lie to you. We come here in SA from outside to do the business,” said Mbesuma in an interview with FARPost. “A striker’s job is to score goals, period, and that’s how you are judged as a forward player, not by the good runs you make on and off the ball but by the goals.
“But everything is nice for SA strikers; there’s no hunger to improve. They don’t stay behind after training sessions to hit balls. Even after making the record, I still stayed behind to do extra work in all the teams I played for. This was to perfect my work; I would hit 250 balls.
“SA players lack hunger; it is a nice country, nice everything, and a nice life, so I think they are conformable. Maybe they will change after hearing this.”
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