Masitara leads Green Boot charge

MQONDISI DUBE
Staff Writer | Wednesday May 6, 2009 00:00

 

Already he has scored four more goals than the 18 he got when he shared the award with Mochudi Centre Chiefs' forward, Jerome Ramatlhakwana who is now plying his trade in South Africa.

Ironically, his closest challenger this season is another Chiefs' man, Moemedi 'Jomo' Moatlhaping. But the Chiefs' striker is seven goals behind Masitara with eight matches to go.

After a slow start to the season, Masitara is enjoying great form. If he fails to win the Green Boot Award, he would probably look back to the game against Naughty Boys, which Nico won 7-0. Even though he managed to net a hat-trick, Masitara could have scored more against a weak Naughty Boys' side.

In contrast, Moatlhaping's season took a sharp turn when he netted four against Police XI. The four strikes saw him head the top scorer's chart for sometime.

But Masitara came back charging and now holds a seven-goal lead over Moatlhaping, making him a clear favourite for the Green Boot Award.

Richard Mwanza, who like Masitara does not have the luxury of a glut of talented midfielders to keep the supply line open, is third with 14 goals. He is tied with Ronald Chikomo of Gaborone United (GU).

Chikomo and Moatlhaping are expected to have a huge say in the race for the Green Boot as their clubs are involved in a two-way rivalry for the league title. Both players boast of mobile midfielders and talented players like  Oteng 'Limkokwing' Moalosi at Chiefs and ball distributor, Tshepo 'Schoolboy' Molefe of GU.

Moatlhaping hopes to be back in action soon after he got injured during the weekend loss to ECCO City Greens. ECCO forward, Malepa 'Chippa' Bolelang has managed to sneak into contention for the P25,000 Green Boot cash prize.

Bolelang who had to endure frustrating long spells on the sidelines due to injury, has scored 13 times this season.

Though he is nine goals behind Masitara, Bolelang is capable of catching up. Township Rollers' Terrence Mandaza, Patrick Lenyeletse from Boteti and Mandla Sibanda of ECCO sit on 12 goals.