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Nokel Security director Kenneth Mhlophe

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
WITH five rounds of games left before the end of the Southern Region Division One Soccer League season, it seems no player will hit the 22-goal mark to claim a bonus pledged by a Bulawayo businessman.

Sponsor of the Southern Region Division One League’s monthly Top Goal Scorer award Nokel Security promised to double prize money for a player that scores 22 league goals this season.

Nokel Security has been giving $150 to monthly top scorers and the company’s director Kenneth Mhlophe promised to add $200 to the $150 prize money for the leading marksman at the end of the season.

However, Mhlophe said they were now considering revising the target as strikers have been struggling for goals.

Speaking after presenting Bosso 90’s Ray Lunga with his August prize money, Mhlophe said: “As a company, we’ve set aside $350 for the person who will reach the 22-goal mark.

‘‘The target was set as a way of motivating strikers. Last year’s leading scorer Ishmael Wadi had 10 goals and since the First Division is a feeder for PSL teams, we expect goals galore. But seeing that even in the PSL strikers are struggling to score, we might have to revise the target by a goal, which at this stage I believe is a fair deal for those vying for the prize.”

Wadi, an attacking midfielder, now turns out for Premiership side FC Platinum.

Tashinga Mungadze of Black Boots is the present leading scorer with 14 goals from 25 games.

Mungadze, winner of the June award, is followed by Fortune Nkomazana of Bantu Rovers on 13, while Lunga is on 10 and Rovers and national Under-20 striker Bukhosi Sibanda sits on nine goals.

Meanwhile, Makomo’s MacDonald Mavhuto is the September winner of the Nokel Security award after scoring four goals during that month.

He beat Lunga, the Rovers’ duo of Gladman Bharibhari and Obrey Chirinda, as well as his teammate Abel Macheka.

Mavhuto will receive his accolade during his team’s clash against ZRP Bulawayo in Hwange on Sunday.

Fixtures

Saturday: Ntabazinduna v Casmyn (Ntabazinduna), Amagagasi v Hwange Juniors (Victoria Falls), ZPC Hwange v Talen Vision (Hwange), Black Boots v Bulawayo Chiefs (Fairbridge), Bosso 90 v ZRP Hwange (cancelled)

Sunday: Victoria Falls Tigers v Bantu Rovers (Victoria Falls), Makomo v ZRP Bulawayo (Hwange)

@ZililoR.