Strikers in battle to breach 20-goal mark
Kabelo Boranabi | Saturday March 16, 2024 06:00
With an average of 13 games left in the season, it could be the first time in three years that the leading goal scorer fails to reach 20 goals.
Last season's Golden Boot winner, Thabang Sesinyi leads the charts with 11 goals after 17 rounds but his side, Jwaneng Galaxy and BDF XI have played a game less. Sesinyi is eyeing a place in the history books, as he could become the first player to win the Golden Boot in three consecutive seasons.
The forward is proving to be a vital part of the Galaxy Stars' attack, contributing 40% of the team's goals in the league thus far. However, Sesinyi still has some distance to cover if he is to beat the 23 goals he scored last season. 'Gaucho', however, scored majority of his goals in the second half of the season and he is gradually getting into his stride after a slow start to the campaign.
The last of his goals was in the midweek 1-0 win over BDF XI as Galaxy moved to the top of the standings. Gaborone United's (GU) Thatayaone Kgamanyane and Molaodi Tlhalefang, with nine goals apiece, are breathing on Sesinyi's neck as the golden boot race enters an exciting phase. Kgamanyane is the more prolific of the two as he has on two occasions, scored more than 20 league goals. Tlhalefang, on the other hand, is proving to be a good catch for the Reds in his debut season with the team. He has over the seasons recorded, on average, fewer than 10 goals in each season he has played in the top flight and he could be going for his best tally this time. Rollers' Segolame Boy and Mogakolodi Ngele sit on eight and seven goals respectively. The two early pacers have slowed down allowing the chasing pack to catch up.
This season's exciting prospect, Oarabile Sekwai of Police XI is level with Boy on seven goals, making him the highest-scoring junior player in the league. A total of 282 goals have been scored in the 17 rounds of matches, equating to an average of 16 and half goals per round. This translates to a goal per team in every round played since the start of the season. Rollers lead the charts with 29 goals while Holy Ghost have the fewest with just 10. In the last line of defence, Galaxy's Goitseone Phoko has the most clean sheets with 10. Phoko holds the record for most clean sheets with 21 achieved during the 2021-2022 season. Rollers' Kabelo Dambe has nine and Thabo Motswagole of GU with eight, level with BDF XI's Kagiso Matlou. Phoko has conceded the least with just four from 12 games played.
The league action continues this evening with Township Rollers taking on Police XI at the National Stadium at 7pm. Tomorrow, Sua Flamingoes welcome Eleven Angels at the Sowa Town Council Stadium. Morupule Wanderers travel to the Dinaledi Academy Stadium to take on Matebele FC. The National Stadium will host a tie between GU and Masitaoka as Orapa United and Security Systems lock horns at the Itekeng Stadium. Champions, Galaxy, host TAFIC at the Galaxy Stadium as VTM FC and Nico clash at the VTM Arena. The only fixture on Sunday pits Holy Ghost against BDF XI at the VTM Arena. All the afternoon games kick off at 4:30pm.