Third Golden Boot for Shalulile

Namibian international footballer and Mamelodi Sundowns goal poacher Peter Shalulile will share the Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot with Cape Town City’s Khanyisa Mayo for the 2022–2023 season after both scored 12 goals.

Overall, it’s Shalulile’s third Golden Boot in South Africa, having won it for the 2019-20 season after scoring 16 goals for Highlands Park and in 2022–23 when he scored 23 goals for Sundowns.

Missed chances

His rival, Mayo, could have added to his tally but missed a chance to win it outright as he failed to score in City’s final fixture on Saturday, as his side won 1-0 against Kaizer Chiefs.

Shalulile, on the other hand, could have increased his tally if it were not for a sports hernia he suffered in the first part of the season, for which he underwent surgery, which took him out of action for about three months.

He could also have won the Golden Boot alone, but he missed out on a chance to feature in Sundowns’ final league game, which ended in a 1-1 draw with Maritzburg United. The player was rested ahead of their CAF Champions League semi-final second leg.

Example for others

Football analyst Isack Hamata said local footballers should learn a thing or two from Shalulile’s hard work.

"It is a very great achievement. It underlines his consistency as a top marksman. He scored in each competition he played in, for example, the DStv Premiership, Nedbank Cup, and CAF Champions League. It’s a lesson for our upcoming strikers to learn," he said.

The awards ceremony will be broadcast live on both the SuperSport PSL channel (202) and on SABC 1 on Sunday, 28 May at 20:00.