The 2-0 victory against Stellenbosch FC by SuperSport United on Tuesday not only propelled Matsatsantsa to the top of the Premiership rankings, but it also saw Bradley Grobler tie Peter Shalulile and Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana for the season’s most goals scored.
With six goals each, the three are deadlocked.
Even though Grobler and SuperSport are tied for first place in the league scoring rankings and SuperSport is leading the league log, neither player nor team will be considered among the favorites to win the Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot this year.
SuperSport are in first position on the log with 20 points, while Mamelodi Sundowns are in second place with one point fewer after playing two less games.
SuperSport might find solace in the knowledge that Gavin Hunt’s teams often perform well when expectations are low, as was the case five years ago when he guided the now-defunct Wits to their fourth league championship in his coaching career. It continues to be the last time a team other than Sundowns won the title.
Despite being in excellent shape, Grobler, 34, has a history of injuries. The former Bafana Bafana player scored 16 goals in 26 league games to win the Golden Boot in 2020–21. In contrast, he scored only one goal in nine games the previous season due to injury.
As a result, candidates for the Golden Boot award like Shalulile, who is now the leading goal scorer, and Bimenyimana will have an advantage.
Shalulile will once again be the favorite to win the Golden Boot title since Chiefs’ Bimenyimana will also be out until after the World Cup break. In addition to playing with superior attackers than Bimenyimana and Grobler, the Namibian has fitness on his side, which will probably help him in his pursuit of a second straight Golden Boot trophy.