Luciah Phahla
Maseru
Just like the title race, the contest for the Vodacom Premier League’s golden boot award will go down to the final day of the season.
Three players are in contention for the coveted award.
Matlama’s Motebang Sera and Sandawana’s Roboama Koloti are tied for the lead with 13 goals while ‘TsePutsoa’ midfielder Jane Thaba-Ntšo is close behind with 12 strikes.
All three are vying to take over the goal king crown from Bantu’s Litšepe Marabe who plundered 24 goals last season. Each has one last chance with Matlama facing Kick4Life while Sandawana’s final day opponent is Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS).
Speaking to thepost yesterday, Sera said he planned to surpass Marabe’s tally at the start of the season but would happily settle for the award.
Sera has spearheaded a prolific Matlama offence that has notched a league leading 42 goals in 25 matches this season.
“I had planned to break last year’s record of 24 goals. I wanted to score 25 goals this season and I am sure I would be far ahead of (Koloti) by now if I had converted all the chances I got. I think when I am in front of goals I rush myself and that’s something I have to work on next season,” he said.
“I am happy with my performance so far but as a striker you always want to score goals and when I finish the game without scoring I become disappointed even though the coach would tell me that I performed well,” he continued.
Sera said he would prefer to win the golden boot outright on Saturday.
“It is well known that it’s not nice sharing something because as a player at the beginning of the season you set goals for yourself and that’s what I did. I wanted to win the award alone but it’s fine if I have to share it. We still have a game and hope I can score,” he said.
Sera also praised his partnership with Thaba-Ntšo saying he is enjoying playing with his fellow Lesotho international and that he hopes to do so for years to come. The duo has been vital in Matlama’s brilliant league campaign which could still culminate with a championship triumph.
“Jane understands me very well, I enjoy playing with him. He is not selfish and he keeps pushing me to work hard. He always tells me to work on my finishing. I really enjoy playing with him at Matlama and I hope we can continue to do so even in future,” Sera explained.
Meanwhile, Koloti said being tied with Sera does not put him under pressure. The Sandawana striker said this weekend is work as usual.
Koloti netted a brace for ‘Tse Bo Yellow’ in last Saturday’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Bantu. The win solidified the Butha-Buthe side’s place in fourth and eliminated ‘A Matšo Matebele’ from the top four for the first time in five years.
“Being equal on goals with (Sera) does not put me under pressure at all. I just want to work hard and help the team,” Koloti told thepost.
“I don’t mind sharing the award with him if we have to share it. However, I am still determined to work hard and score more goals in our last game (against LCS) this weekend. Like I said, it’s possible to score more than one goal in one game.”
Vodacom Premier League top scorers:
Motebang Sera (Matlama) 13
Roboama Koloti (Sandawana)13
Jane Thaba-Ntšo (Matlama) 12
Lehlomela Ramabele (Likhopo) 10
Lazola Tjokotjokwana (Bantu) 8
Mojela Letsie (LDF) 7
Lehloka Lieta (LCS) 7
Masoabi Nkoto (Lioli) 7
Tšepo Toloane (Liphakoe) 7