The race for the coveted DStv Premiership Golden Boot is heating up as the season approaches its final stretch. With just a handful of matches remaining, the leading goal scorer, Lucas Ribeiro, finds himself facing a fierce challenge from a pack of in-form strikers.
This year’s contest promises to be a nail-biter, with Ribeiro needing to display continued composure and predatory instincts to retain his top-scorer title.
The league is about to be concluded with just over a month remaining. Most teams have played 22 to 24 matches left, except for Mamelodi Sundowns, who have played 21 games. This is due to their participation in continent football: first, it was the African Football League, and now it’s the CAF Champions League.
Last season, the Golden Boot award was shared by Sundowns striker Peter Shalulile and Cape Town City FC ace Khanyisa Mayo. The two goal poachers finished the campaign with 12 goals each.
FARPost writer Otis Ntshangase looks at this season’s top contenders for the Golden Boot.
TOP CONTENDERS FOR THE 2023/24 DSTV PREMIERSHIP GOLDEN BOOT
LUCAS RIBEIRO [MAMELODI SUNDOWNS]
Ribeiro hit the ground running in the SA top-flight after joining Masandawana from Belgian second-tier side SK Beveren at the beginning of the current campaign. In his debut season, the Brazilian international is the leading top scorer, hitting the net 11 times in 14 outings for the team.
TSHEGOFATSO MABASA [ORLANDO PIRATES]
Mabasa is second on the top scorers charts with 10 goals. He increased his tally after scoring a hat-trick in a 7-1 win against Golden Arrows most recently.
The 27-year-old started the campaign on loan at Moroka Swallows and scored six goals from 13 matches. In January 2024, he returned to the Bucs and has scored four goals from six matches.
KHANYISA MAYO [CAPE TOWN CITY FC]
The reigning DStv Premiership top scorer, Mayo, is also in the contest, competing to win the award this season. But the Bafana Bafana international has been blowing hot and cold in his performances. The 25-year-old is a goal behind the top scorers, Ribeiro and Mabasa, after scoring nine goals from 25 appearances.
IQRRAM RAYNERS [STELLENBOSCH FC]
Rayners has continued to be outstanding for the Stellies since he returned to the club in January 2023 from SuperSport United. This season, the Bafana Bafana striker has scored eight goals in 20 appearances. The hitman is a goal away from equaling his last season’s tally after he netted nine goals.
BRADLEY GROBLER [SUPERSPORT UNITED]
The 2020/21 Golden Boot winner Grobler is among the contenders for the top scorer award. In previous campaigns, the veteran striker’s progress had always been disturbed by injuries. This season, the 36-year-old is on par with Rayners after scoring eight times in 19 games.
Other top scorers in the top 10 include Samir Nurkovic of TS Galaxy. ‘Kokota’ has found the back of the net seven times for the Rockets. Four players have six goals in the top scorers chats: Devin Titus of Stellenbosch FC, Cape Town Spurs’ Ashley Cupido, AmaZulu ace Augustine Kwem, and Lungelo Nguse of Golden Arrows.
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