The DStv Premiership Golden Boot race for the 2022/23 campaign is proving to be well-contested and it won’t be a surprise if it goes down to the wire.
Bradley Grobler of SuperSport United and Mamelodi Sundowns’ Peter Shalulile are currently level on goals, each sitting on nine in the DStv Premiership.
FARPost writer Mauwane Raophala takes a look at the top five players who are in contestation for the DStv Premiership Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot, with eight games left before the season comes to an end.
THE TOP FIVE PLAYERS IN THE GOLDEN BOOT RACE
1. Bradley Grobler [SuperSport United]
SuperSport United frontman Bradley Grobler has climbed the goalscoring charts after scoring his 100th PSL goal a week ago when they defeated Maritzburg United 2-0.
The cunning striker has found the back of the net on nine occasions in 20 league appearances this campaign.
The 35-year-old footballer will be hoping to continue his chase for the top goalscorer as the season is slowly reaching its climax.
2. Peter Shalulile [Mamelodi Sundowns]
With nine league goals under his belt so far this season, Peter Shalulile is in pole position to defend the award he won last term.
Shalulile suffered an injury setback at the beginning of the season and spent two months on the sidelines. But that never killed his momentum as he rediscovered his peak form immediately when he returned to the field of play.
On a fascinating note, the Namibian international scored those nine goals in just 16 league games.
It goes without a doubt that walking away with the Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot would be another landmark moment for the 29-year-old lethal goal poacher.
3. Cassius Mailula [Mamelodi Sundowns]
The red-hot Mamelodi Sundowns winger Cassius Mailula has netted eight times this campaign. His prolific in-form increased massively to help Bafana Ba Style remain unstoppable in the South African football top flight.
His value to Masandawana is not only when it comes to goals, but the 21-year-old’s ability to play wide on the right and up front.
For Mailula, winning the Golden Boot will be a significant achievement, given the fact that he comes from the Tshwane giants’ development system. And in the process, he has become an instant hit in the first team.
4. Monnapule Saleng [Orlando Pirates]
Monnapule Saleng is one player who needs no introduction. His stellar displays this season have been the talk of the town. Having spent the last term on a loan at Swallows.
Saleng has also banged eight goals so far. Who could forget his recent hat-trick when the Buccaneers thrashed the Dube Birds 4-1 on their own turf last Friday?
His showreel of tricks and flicks makes him stand out, let alone his selfless space creation to punish their opponents.
Now, Saleng will focus on climbing up the charts and staying injury free to become the Golden Boot winner.
5. Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana [Kaizer Chiefs]
After starting the season like a house on fire and scoring the first hat-trick of the season, Bimenyimana at some point was compared to Manchester City’s forward Erling Haaland by Amakhosi’s faithful.
His blistering goalscoring run succumbed to a premature ending and dried up for the Burundian striker due to poor form and injuries.
But, the 25-year-old will be gunning to be back to his predatory form in the last eight league games.
As things stand, Bimenyimana sits on seven goals. It’s evident that he has a lot of work to do to catch up with Bradley Grobler and Peter Shalulile.
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