Charles Sibanda sets 20-goal target

HIGHLANDERS attacking midfielder Charles Sibanda has set his sights on grabbing the 2014 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League golden boot award and help the Bulawayo giants win the championship, which has eluded the club for the past seven years.

Sibanda banged in his 12th goal of the season on Sunday against former paymasters FC Platinum as Bosso got their 10th win with nine matches before the end of the 2014 season.

The dreadlocked attacking linkman, who joined Bosso from Platinum at the beginning of the season, said his target was to score 20 goals to surpass Tendai Ndoro's 18 of last year.

"Since the beginning of the season my target has been to score 20 goals or even more with Highlanders and win the golden boot award," he said.

"It is still possible with the nine matches remaining. I have set my target at 20 and I hope that my goals will help Highlanders win the title.

"The team is fighting hard and with unity of purpose, I am sure we are going to land the championship. I will surpass Ndoro's 18 goals and that is the reason I have set my target at 20," Sibanda said.

Highlanders are on 38 points on the log table from 21 matches, a point behind champions Dynamos who came from behind to beat Triangle 2-1 at Gibbo Stadium on Sunday.

Sibanda (29) said it was every footballer's dream to play outside his country, and he hoped to get recognition and a better deal before his career ends.

"It has been nine years now since I joined the local league and it is everyone's dream to play outside the country. I have been going outside for trials, but now I think it is high time that I got recognition and a lucrative deal outside the country," he said.

The lanky left-footed player, who won the 2010 soccer star of the year award with Motor Action - who were also crowned champions that same year - said that honour this year for him would be a bonus.

"Winning the soccer star of the year award will be a bonus, but my aim is the golden boot," he said.

In Bosso's last win before they went on to play two goalless draws and lose to Black Rhinos (away) and Dynamos (home) without scoring a single goal, Sibanda notched a hat-trick when they beat Bantu Rovers 4-2 at Barbourfields Stadium.

He scored the solitary goal that earned Bosso three points against Triangle last Thursday before the goal against FC Platinum at Mandava on Sunday.

The race for the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League championship is stiff this year as Bosso is at par with ZPC Kariba on 38 points.

Fourth-placed Caps United are just two points behind DeMbare and Hwange are on position five with 34 points, just five behind the champions.