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EVERGREEN: Moroka Swallows striker Siyabong 'Bhele' Nomvethe

DISTANT SECOND: Jomo Cosmos veteran Alton Meiring

 Bhele's closing in on 100 goals 

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"Bhele" has netted 12 league goals in the current campaign, and 13 in total for the season in all competitions, to take his career tally to 97 in South African domestic football.

That is ahead of the next highest currently active player, Jomo Cosmos veteran Alton Meiring, who has 89 career goals to date.

The next two on the list are Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana star Katlego Mphela with 68 goals and Lamontville Golden Arrows' Zambian striker Collins Mbesuma, who has 66.

Rounding out the top five is Nomvethe's former teammate at African Wanderers in the 1990s, Sibusiso Zuma, who now turns out for SuperSport United and has 63 career goals in the PSL after spending a large chunk of his career abroad in Denmark.

Nomvethe's 97 goals have come in 196 starts, a healthy return of almost a goal every other game since he made his top-flight debut against AmaZulu in a 4-0 Rothmans Cup defeat for Wanderers in July 1997.

Days later he scored his first goal in a thrilling 3-all draw with Kaizer Chiefs.

Now 34, Nomvethe has shown no sign of slowing down, and although he typically declined to discuss his scoring exploits - such is his humble nature - his coach at Swallows, Gordon Igesund, has been effusive in his praise and sends a clear message to national team coach Pitso Mosimane.

Mosimane has claimed that selecting older players such as Nomvethe and Benni McCarthy would send the wrong message to up-and-coming youngsters, yet in the same breath has bemoaned the national team's lack of goals.

"I hate talking about Nomvethe's age because it really doesn't matter," Igesund says. "He has been fantastic for us this season, he has won us games with his goals and created chances for his teammates, so what does it matter if he is 34?

"If he is 39 and can still play like that, I will pick him. We are too fixated with a player's age in this country and we forget to look at their ability. That is what counts."

Nomvethe's exploits this season must put him in the running for the PSL player of the season award, an honour he collected in the 1999-2000 season while on the books of Kaizer Chiefs.

The leading goalscorer in PSL history is former Jomo Cosmos, SuperSport United, Orlando Pirates and Maritzburg United striker Manuel Tico-Tico Bucuane.

The Mozambican netted 108 times in 286 starts for his various teams.

And the top marksman in South African football since the inception of the National Soccer League in 1985 is former Sundowns legend Daniel "Mambush" Mudau, who scored 172 times in 390 starts for The Brazilians.

Comments

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Fri May 24 15:29:19 SAST 2013 ::

Apr 18, 2012

TupacAmaru

He wont be the best tonight.
UP THE BUCS.
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Apr 18, 2012

Phunyukabemphethe

Uthi ubani ikhehla Siyabonga Nomvethe, actually he is not a threat to the Champ
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Apr 18, 2012

Bra_A

@ Sowetan,

but is also the top marksman of all currently active players in South Africa
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Thats not how stats works, you are unfair to those who have played less games in PSL. the best to compare hin is goals/total games played or goal rate. If he is still high then I salute.
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Apr 18, 2012

Mhungumbye

Should we win tonight's game and not even taking into account how Dununu fares, I can tell you that chances of successfully defending what is rightful ours will be written all over our faces,

U can save my comments for future references if u like but it's a fact.

Up the Bucs till Chips supporters stop smiling on National TV when their team are trailing.
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Apr 18, 2012

LIKHUWA

what about the big man Benito? pirates striker
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Apr 18, 2012

TjoVtjo

Tonight Belle better score two more times. It would be great for Swallows to win the league, especially after last years near disaster. I'll be clenching my butt for us tonight.
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Apr 18, 2012

SKIZOBANTWANA

TjoVtjo
Tonight Belle better score two more times. It would be great for Swallows to win the league, especially after last years near disaster. I'll be clenching my butt for us tonight.
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4get baba

That will only happen on your wet dreams

BUCS RULES!!!
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Apr 18, 2012

Iwe

34 and you are old!
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Apr 18, 2012

Dieheart

Sowetan is at it again. All the good comments are going to swallows and none to the champs. Is this is a coincidence or what now that the zebras's chances of winning the league are done and dusted?
No matter what, we are still going to defend our league title. Watch the space.....

Sea thug for life!
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Apr 18, 2012

BraMbo

good analysis after a very long time. thanks sowetan and the repoters. i think you can start with brain teaser for your readers - just to be interactive
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