Zakazaka closes in on top scorer award
Zakazaka, who plays for African Warriors, has scored 10 goals, just two short of the leading scorer Petrus Zwelinjane Ngebo of Chippa United.
He netted his 10th goal as Warriors lost 2-1 to FC Cape Town last week. He however missed Sunday’s game against Carara Kicks as he was serving a two-yellow card suspension.
Zakazaka said he will try to score in the remaining match so as to brighten his chances of clinching the award.
“Over and above that, my agent (Mike Makaab) has assured me that if I score more than 10 goals, I stand a chance to be signed by a Premier Soccer League (PSL) club,” he said.
Last season, another Flames forward Atusaye Nyondo clinched the award while playing for Carara Kicks.
Surprisingly, despite scoring freely this season, Flames coach Kinnah Phiri has continuously ignored Zakazaka for national duty.
But Zakazaka played down his continued exclusion from the Flames saying: “That does not bother me because everything happens for a reason. Team selection is at the discretion of the coach. My focus is to score as many goals as I can.”
The striker was on target in his last appearance for the Flames as they thumped Chad 6-2 in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
However, Kinnah yesterday said he would call Zakazaka for the forthcoming 2014 World Cup and 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
“I have watched him play on TV in a few games and he is doing very well. I will definitely call him for the forthcoming games,” said Kinnah.
Meanwhile, all the Flames’ NFD players have missed out on Premier Soccer League automatic promotion.
University of Pretoria will be playing in the Premiership next season.
There are five Malawian players who turn out for NFD clubs, namely Zakazaka (Warriors), Peter Wadabwa (Thanda Royal Zulu), Sankhani Mkandawire, Jacob Ngwira (Carara Kicks) and Swadick Sanudi (Dynamos). Only Wadabwa’s team has a chance to qualify for promotional play-offs.
