With two rounds of matches to go in the MTN/FAZ Super League, there’s a lot at stake at both ends of the table.
At the foot end, Red Arrows is in the relegation zone though they are level on goal difference with Green Buffaloes while at the summit, it is Zesco United’s title to lose.
It is not only the clubs jostling for honours but also the players as the race for top scorer is very much on.
Below the ZamFoot Crew looks like at the top 6 on the top scorers chat.
1.Moses Phiri – 10 goals (Zanaco)
This boy has almost everything. He has the pacy, skill and technique and can play out wide, as a second or lone striker.
At Sunset Stadium he is one of the most experienced players despite being only 20. One of the highlight of the season so far has been seeing him alongside teenage strikers Dave Daka and two-times capped international Charles Zulu.
The ‘three wise boys’ from the east are all diminutive but they have skinned opposition defenders especially in the half of the season when they had Isaac Chansa behind them.
All his goals have come from open play.
Trivia: In 2012, Moses Phiri attended trials in Israel and the boy impressed at all three top clubs in that club. This year he tried his luck in South Africa but things didn’t work.
2.Alex Ng’onga – 10 goals (Power Dynamos)
Power Dynamos are spoiled for choice upfront with the likes of Lottie Phiri, Felix Nyainde, Jimmy Ndhlovu and Ignitius Lwipa but the powerful striker is coach Tenant Chilumba’s first choice.
He has banged in the goals from all angles and he is also deadly from set pieces.
He has the height and enjoys a physical battle and has matured after returning from Nchanga Rangers on loan.
Despite Honour Janza working with then raw teenage in 2009 at under-20 level, one wonders why the dynamo no.10 has been snubbed by the Chipolopolo coach.
Nine of his goals have come from open play while the one came from the spot
Trivia: There are rumours that he is Jacob Mulenga’s cousin and his under-20 days he did wore jersey no.2, the same number Jacob used to wear in the past.
- Richard Kasonde -10 goals (Power Dynamos)
They call him ‘Djemba’ [also James Chamanga is called ‘Djemba’]. Don’t mistake him for Francis ‘Mr Reliable’ Kasonde though both players have a lot in common.
They both can play across the back four and in midfield. These are what we call common sense footballers and any team needs them.
But ‘Djemba’ has surprised many with his goal scoring prowess. Many would have expected the likes of Kennedy Mudenda, Julius Situmbeko and Martin Tembo with that return but it is the former Kabwe Warriors hard man.
Janza also knows the player to well having worked with him at Under-20. National team call up? Every team needs such kind of workaholics even off the bench to close the game. Right now, Zambia has only Donashamo Malama and young Spencer Sautu.
Trivia: He has attended trials in Cyprus before
- Ronald Kampamba -12 goals (Nkana)
Still only, ‘Sate Sate’ was born to score goals. In the last 3-4 seasons, the Wusakile born and bred has hit over 13 goals each which makes the most lethal striker in the country.
In the last 18 months or so, there has been talk that he can’t cut it at national team level but it looks like Janza is ready to through him in the thick of things.
He is yet to make his debut in the AFCON qualifiers but he has featured for Zambia in friendly matches as well as CECAFA tournament.
Trivia: In 2012, he attended trials at Young Boys in Switzerland as well as Macabbi Tel Aviv. His move for trials at FC Porto was blocked a few years ago.
He has also attended trials at Supersport United in South Africa.
- Jimmy Ndhlovu – 14 goals (Power Dynamos)
The burly diminutive hitman has finally settled at Arthur Davies Stadium. He has been a journeyman from Red Arrows to Zesco United and then Nkana.
Ndhlovu has the technique and its good seeing the back of net. When Power Dynamos demolished one side 7-1, he called 4 goals in that game.
Trivia: He had a 4 months stint at Israel Premier League side Hapoel Ra’anana when they were still in the lower ranks before Emmanuel Mbola, Francis Kasonde and Evans Kangwa went there.
- Jackson Mwanza – 15 goals (Zesco United)
The Kafue native has impressed this season in a star studded Zesco United. Mwanza has scored from the open play 14 times.
He started his career out wide and alongside Lottie Phiri and Jonas Sakuwaha, they formed one of the deadliest attacking trio when Zesco United played in the CAF group stage.
Trivia: Sudanese gianst El Merriekh bought him as replacement for Sakuwaha when the latter left for TP Mazembe but things didn’t work out for him.
Who do you think will walk away with the top scorer award? Have Your Say
I think Jackson Mwanza wil get it.
Jackson Mwanza
Jackson will grab it,enhanced by ZESCO who are fire.
It baffles me why the top two strikers in the zed league never feature for the national team not even on the bench? Where in the world would this be acceptable? How was Ngoma selected. on another note based on the few ZPL games i have watched Jimmy Ndlovu has the best technique of all the local based strikers, his movement and shooting skills are better than anyone in the league. The only player who is slightly better in this regard is Evans Kangwa. Sate Sate is more of a no.10 than a no.9 in my mind not an out and out striker. Mayuka runs around alot but has poor intelligent movement in key areas around the 18. Its a big gamble by Janza to put all his eggs in the mayuka basket if you ask me.
Mayuka will deliver he is the best striker in the country. Dont dare compare and EPL striker to amateurs. Mayuka has played in top divisions across europe for many years now.
I think any of the top three have a chance of scooping the top scorers accolade.
Sate Sate bafikamba!!!!!!
Jimmy “Belleck” Njovu can easily get it. Though it will be be difficult to displace one Jackson “Superman” Mwanza
Any of the top three can get