The Intense Battle For The PSL Golden Boot

The Intense Battle For The PSL Golden Boot

The Golden Boot Race: Analyzing Top Contenders for the Lesley Manyathela Award in the 2022/23 DStv Premiership Season

As the DStv Premiership season nears its end, the competition for the Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot award is heating up. The race has been highly contested, with no clear leader, and several players closely behind each other in the goal-scoring tally. In this article, we will analyze the top contenders for the Golden Boot Award and their chances of winning the coveted prize.

Peter Shalulile (Mamelodi Sundowns) – 11 goals (19 appearances)

Last year’s winner, Peter Shalulile, is currently leading the race for the Golden Boot award. However, with just two goals separating him from the other top contenders, the Namibian marksman will have to continue scoring to secure another top-scorer award.

Due to injuries, Shalulile has started only 17 games this season compared to 30 last season when he scored 23 goals. His recent form, including two braces in the league and two goals in the CAF Champions League, suggests he can score more in the remaining three games for Sundowns.

Bradley Grobler (SuperSport United) – 10 goals (25 appearances)

SuperSport United’s veteran striker Bradley Grobler is a serious contender for the Golden Boot award. Although he missed a penalty and has squandered several other opportunities, he has three games left to find his scoring boots and mount a push for another top-scorer award.

Monnapule Saleng (Orlando Pirates) – 10 goals (18 appearances)

Orlando Pirates’ new signing Monnapule Saleng has had a great debut season in the Pirates squad, scoring 10 goals in just 18 appearances. After spending last season on loan at Swallows, Saleng has made a significant impact in this campaign. He is just one goal behind Shalulile and could challenge for the Golden Boot award.

Ranga Chivaviro (Marumo Gallants) – 9 goals (17 appearances)

Marumo Gallants’ Ranga Chivaviro has been a revelation this season, scoring 9 goals in just 17 appearances. The 30-year-old striker has scored goals both domestically and on the continent, with a hat-trick against Chippa United and a brace against Cape Town City.

Etiosa Ighodaro (Chippa United) – 9 goals (22 appearances)

Chippa United’s Nigerian forward Etiosa Ighodaro has been a key player for the team this season, scoring 9 goals in 22 appearances. He has earned them many points this season, and his performances have drawn attention from clubs both local and abroad.

Cassius Mailula (Mamelodi Sundowns) – 9 goals (17 appearances)

Another young player, Cassius Mailula, has had an impressive debut season in senior football, scoring regularly for Mamelodi Sundowns, including a brace against Maritzburg United. He is in contention for the Young Player of the Season and could even challenge his teammate Shalulile in the Golden Boot race.

Khanyisa Mayo (Cape Town City) – 9 goals (23 appearances)

Cape Town City’s Khanyisa Mayo has had a bit of a dry spell in the middle of the campaign, but he seems to have found his scoring boots of late, adding five goals since the start of March, including a brace against Marumo Gallants.