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 Mufakosebased 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. Tsholotsho v Bantu Rovers (Dulivadzimo), Shabanie Mine v Triangle (Maglas), Highlanders v Black Rhinos (Barbourfields), Caps United v Hwange (NSS) WHEN Clement Matawu made his Premier Soccer League debut on April 8, 2001 ZPC Kariba forward Blessing “Gode” Nyamuzihwa was two-yearsold.
As Chicken Inn played against Nyamuzihwa’s ZPC Kariba at Nyamhunga yesterday, the Gamecocks’ midfielder took time to reflect on a 16-year journey which began at Mucheke Stadium in Masvingo.
A journey that has seen him appear on the Soccer Stars calendar a remarkable five times, winning it once in 2006.
Matawu, who made his Premiership bow with the now defunct Motor Action, is a key member of a title-chasing Chicken Inn side — and looks like he can go on for another 16 years. What’s the secret to his longevity? “I just enjoy playing football, so I try to keep myself in shape. I guess I am lucky because I am able to understand my body,” he said.
“Dedication, discipline and hard work have also been key in my career. My wife Angeline and my two kids Martinah and Jayden also inspire me. In a nutshell, that is why I have the proverbial nine lives of a cat!”
Matawu was 19 and in A-Level at Churchill High when he came on as a second half substitute as the Mighty Bulls fell 0-1 to Masvingo United.
Black Rhinos legend Hamid “Muzukuru” Dhana, who was the Motor Action coach, handed Matawu his debut.
“I thought I would just be an unused substitute but the coach had other ideas and he threw me into the fray midway through the first half.
“I was excited to get my first taste of