Namibian football frontman, PeterShalulile who is playing in the South African club, Mamelodi Sundown eyes on making history. Since the establishment of the National Soccer League in South Africa in 1985, there is no player has won three Golden Boot awards. Peter Shalulile, despite a season plagued by injuries and lengthy periods on the sidelines, finds himself on the cusp of this unique accomplishment in the current campaign.
Currently playing for Mamelodi Sundowns, the reigning champions, Shalulile has already netted 11 goals, surpassing Bradley Grobler of SuperSport United, who has 10 goals, to top the league's scoring charts.
Shalulile's previous Golden Boot wins came in the 2019/20 season when he shared the honour with Orlando Pirates' Gabadinho Mhango with 16 goals each, and in the 2021/22 season, when he was the clear winner with an impressive haul of 23 goals in all competitions.
In the intervening season, Shalulile narrowly missed out on the Golden Boot, finishing one goal behind Grobler, who claimed his first and only Golden Boot win in the 2020/21 season. If Shalulile can maintain his current form and finish as the league's top scorer this time around, he will make history as the first NSL striker to win the award three times in succession, cementing his place among the all-time greats of South African football.
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In the past, several players have won the Golden Boot multiple times, but none have achieved the rare feat of three consecutive wins. Notable among them is Daniel Mudau, who won the award in 1993 with 23 goals for Sundowns and then again in 1998/99 with 24 goals. Similarly, Wilfred Mugeyi of Zimbabwe topped the scorers' list with 19 goals for Umtata Bush Bucks in 1994 and then repeated the feat in 1996/97 with 22 goals.
Collins Mbesuma also had a remarkable run, with 11 years between his two Golden Boot wins. He scored a record-breaking 25 league goals for Kaizer Chiefs in the 2004/05 season and then, many seasons and clubs later claimed the Golden Boot again with 14 goals for Mpumalanga Black Aces in the 2015/16 season.
As the current season progresses, Grobler will undoubtedly be gunning for his second Golden Boot, hoping to join the ranks of multiple winners. However, all eyes will be on Shalulile, who is hoping to make his third Golden Boot if the chart will not change for the worse. Sundowns' upcoming match against Golden Arrows on Wednesday could provide him with an opportunity to further add to his goal tally and inch closer to the historic achievement of a third Golden Boot win.
Top League Scorers Since the Inception of the NSL in 1985
2021/22: Peter Shalulile (Mamelodi Sundowns) - 23 goals
2020/21: Bradley Grobler (SuperSport United) - 16 goals
2019/20: Frank Mhango (Orlando Pirates), Peter Shalulile (Mamelodi Sundowns) - 16 goals
2018/19: Mwape Musonda (Black Leopards) - 16 goals
2017/18: Rodney Ramagalela (Polokwane City), Percy Tau (Mamelodi Sundowns) - 11 goals
2016/17: Lebogang Manyama (Cape Town City) - 13 goals
2015/16: Collins Mbesuma (Mpumalanga Black Aces) - 14 goals