Golden boot race turns Phiri-Lusajo
THE race for the 2022/23 season’s golden boot has turned into a two-hitmen affair after Simba striker Moses Phiri netted his fifth goal to tie with Namungo marksman Reliant Lusajo.
Though the race is still wide open, Phiri looks likely to command the top scorers’ list if he continues to be consistent at goal mouth compared with Lusajo (pictured), who currently seems to be on holiday shaking opponents’ nets.
The Zambian marksman could not find the back of the net in two consecutive fixtures against Young Africans and Azam but regained his touch against Mtibwa Sugar when he contributed one goal on Sunday.
He scored in the 73rd minute to give his side a deserved 5-0 victory as the Msimbazi Street Reds mercilessly punished the Morogoro-based outfits, who finished the match with 9-men on the field as two players; Paschal Kitenge cards.
This has helped to give him (Phiri) enough confidence to seize command of the golden boot chase, and without a doubt, he is among the most feared strikers in the campaign.
With four goals on the chart are Feisal Salum (Young Africans), Sixtus Sabilo (Mbeya City) and Matheo Antony (KMC), who are also not far behind in shaking opponents’ nets. However, last season’s top goal scorer George Mpole looks to have surrendered the golden boot’s title defence, whereas the runnerup, Fiston Mayele, is slowly gathering pace with three goals to his name.
Meanwhile, the Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) has suspended Sheikh Amri Abeid Stadium in Arusha from hosting Premier League matches until renovation works completely.
The recent statement released by the board has cited that the pitch at the venue does not have enough grass to allow safe playing as per Club Licencing regulations.
It said this makes the playing area not safe for players and also renders Television broadcasters Azam TV to have poor quality images when beaming live matches.
As such, TPLB has instructed the Premier League side Polisi Tanzania and Championship club Mbuni, who use the arena, to shift to another venue for their respective matches until further notice.
