Shalulile chasing unique scoring feat
Only a handful of players have won multiple Golden Boot awards in South African football since the formation of the National Soccer League (NSL) in 1985, and none have gone on to claim a hattrick of wins.
Namibia’s Peter Shalulile stands on the brink of that in the current campaign, despite an injuryravaged season that has seen him sidelined for large parts.
He currently has 11 goals for champions Mamelodi Sundowns, one more than SuperSport United’s Bradley Grobler, who will hope to chase him down in the remaining fixtures.
Shalulile topped the scorers’ charts along with Orlando Pirates’ Gabadinho Mhango in 2019/20 as they each netted 16 goals and shared the Golden Boot.
The prolific Namibian then scored 23 times for Sundowns last season to become the runaway winner of the prize in a campaign in which he netted 30 goals in all competitions.
Between those two seasons, * his 15 strikes proved one shy of Grobler (16), who claimed his only Golden Boot win in 2021/22.
Should Shalulile top the pile this time round he will become the first NSL striker to win the award three times.
Noel Cousins was top scorer with Arcadia Shepherds in 1987 (25 goals) and then again two years later, though he switched to Moroka Swallows mid-season in 1989 (21). Daniel Mudau claimed the trophy in 1993 with 23 goals for Sundowns, and then won it again in 1998/99 when he netted 24 times. In a way it is a surprise the prolific forward did not win the Golden Boot more times.
Zimbabwean Wilfred Mugeyi topped the scorers list with 19 goals for Umtata Bush Bucks in 1994, and then got 22 goals in 1996/97 to repeat the feat.
Quite remarkable there were 11 years between the two Golden Boot wins for Collins Mbesuma, who scored 25 league goals – still a 30-game season record – for Kaizer Chiefs in 2004/05 and then many seasons, and clubs, later, his 14 goals for Mpumalanga Black Aces in 2015/16 was enough for another Golden Boot prize.
Grobler will be hoping to join the list of multiple winners in 2022/23 as SuperSport United chase CAF Champions League football next season, while Shalulile has a unique hattrick on his mind. He could potentially add to his tally when Sundowns travel to Golden Arrows today. – Supersport.com
Top NSL scorers since 1985
2021/22 Peter Shalulile (Mamelodi Sundowns) 23 2020/21 Bradley Grobler (SuperSport United) 16 2019/20 Frank Mhango (Orlando Pirates), Peter Shalulile (Mamelodi Sundowns) 16
2018/19 Mwape Musonda (Black Leopards) 16
2017/18 Rodney Ramagalela (Polokwane City), Percy Tau (Mamelodi Sundowns) 11 2016/17 Lebogang Manyama (Cape Town City) 13 2015/16 Collins Mbesuma (Mpumalanga Black Aces) 14 2014/15 Moeketsi Sekola (Free State Stars) 14
2013/14 Bernard Parker (Kaizer Chiefs) 10
2012/13 Katlego Mashego (Moroka Swallows) 13
2011/12 Siyabonga Nomvethe (Moroka Swallows) 20 2010/11 Knowledge Musona (Kaizer Chiefs) 15 2009/10 Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns) 17 2008/09 Richard Henyekane (Lamontville Golden Arrows) 19 2007/08 James Chamanga (Moroka Swallows) 14
2006/07 Chris Katongo (Jomo Cosmos) 15 2005/06 Mame Niang (Moroka Swallows) 14
2004/05 Collins Mbesuma (Kaizer Chiefs) 25
2003/04 Jackie Ledwaba (Zulu Royals) 14
2002/03 Lesley Manyathela (Orlando Pirates) 18 2001/02 Ishmael Maluleke (Manning Rangers) 18 2000/01 Gilbert Mushangazhike (Manning Rangers) 19 1999/2000 Denis Lota (Orlando Pirates) 18
1998/99 Daniel Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns) 24
1997/98 George Koumantarakis (Manning Rangers) 14 1996/97 Wilfred Mugeyi (Umtata Bush Bucks) 22
1996 Simon Makhubela (Manning Rangers) 12
1995 Gerald Stober (Hellenic) 18 1994 Wilfred Mugeyi (Umtata Bush Bucks) 19
1993 Daniel Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns) 23 1992GeorgeDearnaley(AmaZulu) 20
1991 Fani Madida (Kaizer Chiefs) 28
1990 Bennett Masinga (Mamelodi Sundowns) 20
1989 Noel Cousins (Arcadia/ Moroka Swallows) 21
1988 Shane MacGregor (Rangers/ Kaizer Chiefs) 19
1987 Noel Cousins (Arcadia) 25 1986 Thomas Hlongwane (Moroka Swallows) 25
1985 Mike Mangena (Bush Bucks), Frank McGrellis (Wits University) 25