The South Africa Premier Soccer League (PSL) golden boot race will tomorrow go down to the wire after Flames striker Frank Gabadihno Mhango ended his seven-match goal-drought on Wednesday evening.
The Malawian striker’s 90th minute strike earned Orlando Pirates a narrow 1-0 win over Maritzburg United.
The goal ensured the Flames forward remains in the top goalscorer’s race as he cancelled Namibian international Peter Shalulile’s lead after the Highlands Park striker netted in his side’s 1-0 over Cape Town City.
The two strikers go into their respective last matches tomorrow tied at 15 goals apiece, hoping to make history by becoming the first to win the PSL golden boot for their respective countries.
Gaba was relegated to the bench after misfiring for the past seven matches. However, Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer decided to give the former Nyasa Big Bullets striker a chance with seven minutes remaining on the clock to replace Fortune Makaringe.
The German coach applauded Gaba for the classical finish.
“This is the stuff which the coach ordered to see,” said Zinnbauer.
Pirates will be gunning for maximum points in the last game against Stellenbosch hoping to secure a top-three finish and a CAF Confederation Cup spot.
Malawian coach John Maduka, who maintained his unbeaten run since being appointed Bloemfontein Celtic after holding Arrows to a goalless draw, will be eyeing top eight finish.
Celtic is on position nine on the table with 36 points and Maduka is hoping to finish in top eight by collecting maximum points in the last game, hoping that Limbikani Mzava’s Highlands Park drops points.
Malawian Robert Ngambi’s Black Leopard, which managed a 1-0 victory over Bidvest Wits and is 14th on the table, will be aiming to avoid outright relegation.
Flames duo Gerald Phiri Jnr and Richard Mbulu’s Baroka FC perched on position 15 with 28 points, also face relegation.
Kaizer Chiefs and defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns are tied at 56 points, though Amakhosi still top the table on goal difference going into the last day of the season.
