It is Chungwa versus Chiwunga

THEIR surnames sound similar, they don’t stay far away from each other (one in Mufakose, the other in Highfield, Harare), and the Golden Boot Race looks set to be a race between the pair.

It’s a Chungwa versus Chiwunga affair!

Caps United’s hotshot striker Dominic Chungwa has taken control of the race after his brace against Highlanders last Thursday took his tally to 14 in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League this season.

Black Rhinos’ Lot Chiwunga is just two goals back going into this afternoon’s fixtures.

Makepekepe host Hwange at the National Sports Stadium with Mufakose-based Chungwa hoping to feast on a Chipangano that is staring at relegation.

The Green Machine is also seeking to extend its unbeaten run to 10 games.

Army side Rhinos are at Barbourfields for a date with Bosso and Chiwunga has been telling his close friends he wants a hat trick at Emagumeni.

“I will fight until my last breath but I think Chungwa has the upper hand now. He has all the chances now to land the Golden Boot but who knows what God has in store for both of us?” mused the Rhinos man.

Chungwa, who has scored 14 of Caps United’s 39 goals this season, intends to do his talking on the park.

“For now I want to concentrate on the target, let’s talk about it in a few game’s time,” he said.

The former Hippo Valley striker, whose goal scoring instincts are still the talk of Chiredzi five years after leaving the Lowveld, has now scored in three consecutive games Caps United have played at the NSS.

He scored the solitary goal when Makepekepe edged Chicken Inn 1-0 on September 27 before repeating the act against Triangle on October 15.

Last Thursday night he banged a brace against Bosso in a game he could have scored at least a hat-trick.

Chungwa has already surpassed last year’s Golden Boot winner and former teammate Leonard Tsipa, who won the 2016 award with a paltry 11 goals.

Knox Mutizwa, then with Highlanders, scored 14 to clinch the 2015 award while Kuda Musharu and Charles Sibanda shared the boot with 12 goals apiece the year before.

The last PSL player to breach the 20-goal mark was Norman Maroto, who plundered 22 in Gunners’ colours in 2010.

The highest Premiership return by any player since the turn of the millennium is Evans Chikwaikwai’s 23 for Njube Sundowns on his way to clinching the 2008 Soccer Star of the Year award.

 

Fixtures (All matches start at 3pm)

 

Tsholotsho v Bantu Rovers (Dulivadzimo), Shabanie Mine v Triangle (Maglas), Highlanders v Black Rhinos (Barbourfields), Caps United v Hwange (NSS)