Muzeu leads Golden Boot race in South Africa

Namibian striker Bethuel Muzeu, who plays for Black Leopards FC in South Africa’s Motsepe Foundation Championship, is currently leading the Golden Boot race with eight goals.

The striker (26) is enjoying an outstanding individual season despite his club’s difficult start to the campaign. Black Leopards are currently bottom of the table with 17 points after 21 matches, sitting four points away from safety in the relegation zone.

Muzeu has been in fine form in front of goal, scoring a hat-trick against Kruger United FC. He has also scored one goal each against The Bees FC, Milford FC, Kruger United FC, Lerumo United FC and the University of Pretoria.

Muzeu joined Black Leopards in 2022 after being scouted at the Cosafa Cup and has since repaid the club’s faith, reaching double figures in each of the last two seasons.

In his debut 2021/22 season, he struggled to find form and failed to reach five goals. However, in the 2022/23 season, he bounced back impressively, finishing just one goal shy of Golden Boot winner Prince Nxumalo of JDR Stars FC, who scored 18 goals while Muzeu netted 17.

In the 2023/24 season, Muzeu continued his fine form, scoring 12 goals.

With Black Leopards slipping deeper into the relegation zone, it remains to be seen whether Muzeu will secure his long-awaited move to a top-flight league.

Deon Hotto provided an assist in Orlando Pirates’ 6–0 victory over TS Galaxy in the South African Betway Premiership. This assist takes Hotto to the top of the league’s assist charts, where he is tied on six assists with teammate Oswin Appollis. The 35-year-old is enjoying a good season under new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou.

The victory sees Orlando Pirates move to the top of the table with 51 points after 22 matches, just one point ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns, who sit second with 50 points and have a game in hand.

At Mamelodi Sundowns, Peter Shalulile has now missed the team’s last seven matches. Despite his absence, Sundowns progressed to the CAF Champions League semi-finals after defeating Stade Malien 3–2 on aggregate. Sundowns won the first leg 3–0 at home but lost 2–0 in the second leg away in Mali.

The four clubs that have progressed to the CAF Champions League semi-finals are Espérance (Tunisia), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), AS FAR Rabat (Morocco) and RS Berkane (Morocco).

Riaan Hanamub provided an assist as AmaZulu defeated Polokwane City in the Betway Premiership, moving into third place in the standings with 37 points after 22 matches. His assist came in the 87th minute, as his cross was calmly finished by substitute Thapelo Matlhoko.

In Zimbabwe, David Ndeunyema, who recently joined MWOS FC from Blue Waters, scored on his full debut against Bulawayo Chiefs in a 2–1 victory. The win, in their fourth game of the season, moves them into eighth position on the log table.

Moses Shidolo also got on the assist sheet, setting up Khama Billiat, who completed his brace, as Scottland FC secured a 3–0 win over Hunters.

The victory moves Scottland into second place in the standings with eight points, behind log leaders Caps United, who have 12 points after four matches.

In Kosovo, Namibian duo Romeo Kasume and Uetuuru Kambato both started as Liria Prizren eased past 2 Korriku FC with a comfortable 3–1 victory, moving into third place (a playoff spot) with 46 points after 24 matches, and with 12 games still to play.

Both players have been called up for the Brave Warriors squad for the International Federation of Association Football (Fifa) Series tournament and are set to join the rest of the team in Astana, Kazakhstan, where Namibia will face Kuwait on Wednesday at 20h00.

Sisqo Haraseb played the full match as Al-Qaisim suffered a 2–1 defeat to Newroz FC. The team remains bottom of the Iraq Stars League after 23 matches, with no wins and just one draw so far this season.

Haraseb was also expected to join the Brave Warriors squad for the Fifa Series tournament in Kazakhstan. However, he has confirmed that airports in his region are currently closed, preventing him from leaving the country to join the team.

“The airports here are closed this week, so the Namibia Football Association couldn’t find me a ticket to join the team,” he says.

In England, Ryan Nyambe started for Reading FC in their 1–0 loss to Stevenage in EFL League One but was substituted in the second half.

The right-back (28) is currently enjoying consistent game time on loan at Reading, having struggled for minutes at Derby County following his return from injury. 

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