CAPS United marksman William Manondo has shared his delight after beating challenger Walter Musona to the Golden Boot gong with his 17th goal of the season.
The duo has been tussling for the top goalscorer spot but the contest was finally settled on Sunday with Manondo converting from the penalty spot against Dynamos in the last game of the season to take his goal tally to 17.
Although Musona also scored in FC Platinum’s 3-2 win over Cranborne Bullets to take his tally to 14 this campaign, it wasn’t enough to catch up with the prolific Manondo.
The former Harare City man arrived at Caps United after they had played two games into the season and made his debut against army side Black Rhinos and forced a 1-1 draw.
After opening his account in his debut game, the forceful forward never looked back. Even when the team did not play well on a given day, he would pop up with a consolation goal.
Had it not been for his goals, perhaps the high priests of football would have laid down the last rites for the Green Machine which spent the better part of the season battling the dark forces of relegation.
Manondo, however, refused to take all the glory and credited the award to the whole team’s effort. He said he was particularly happy to score in the Harare derby.
“I was happy to score the17th goal of the season, you know the feeling when you score in a derby, it feels good.
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“I think I had a decent season. Despite the challenges we had at Caps United, I have managed to win the Golden Boot. It wasn’t easy, the road was bumpy but the most important thing is the team. I am happy we survived and this season we have learnt a lot. And we will correct from there as we go to the next season.
“Next season, I am challenging myself to do better, I believe it’s possible. I just need to work harder and the sky is the limit,” he said.
After the settlement of the Golden Boot contest, Manondo and Musona have also been tipped to tussle it for the overall Soccer Star of the Year award this week.
While it will surely be a close contest, Manondo is highly likely to win the big award on account of his performance for a team that was below par the entire season.
His coach Lloyd Chitembwe, believes Manondo deserves recognition for his outstanding performance.
A panel of coaches, football writers and team captains is expected to come up with the outstanding 11 players of the season and the overall winner of the award on Friday.
Several players are expected to make it onto the 2022 Soccer Player of the Year list after impressive performances for their respective clubs with Highlanders’ Divine Mhindirira, WhaWha’s Calum English-Brown, Blessing Majarira of Herentals, Black Rhinos’ Eli Ilunga, Bulawayo City’s Melikhaya Ncube and Yadah defender Lenox Mucheto, FC Platinum duo of midfielder Blessing Moyo — who was one of the outstanding players for the Zvishavane team and Thandewenkosi Ngwenya - among the contestants.
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