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Collins' future on the agenda

Collins Mbesuma of Black Aces during the Absa Premiership match between Black Aces and Polokwane City at Mbombela Stadium on January 09, 2016 in Nelspruit. Picture credits: Gallo Images
Collins Mbesuma of Black Aces during the Absa Premiership match between Black Aces and Polokwane City at Mbombela Stadium on January 09, 2016 in Nelspruit. Picture credits: Gallo Images

Mpumalanga Black Aces coach Muhsin Ertugral will hold discussions with star striker Collins Mbesuma at the end of the season and evaluate the role the frontrunner for this season's PSL Golden Boot award has to play going forward.

Mbesuma, on 14 goals, should finish top scorer in the Absa Premiership, especially if he can bang in one or two more goals against Free State Stars at Mbombela Stadium in Saturday's final round of matches.

Second-placed Prince Nxumalo is breathing down Mbesuma's neck on 13 goals, needing to score a few when Ajax Cape Town meet Bidvest Wits at Cape Town Stadium.

Ertugral and Aces' conditioning staff have been instrumental in the revival of Mbesuma, getting him fit and hungry, and playing to a gameplan that suits the Zambian's style of play.

But the 32-year-old striker has weighed in with just three goals in the last three months, prompting a cautious response from Ertugral on whether he believes Mbesuma still has what it takes to perform again next season.

"I don't know - we need to speak to him first, obviously. We need to see what the club's perspective is, too," Ertugral said yesterday.

"I think Collins has it. I think he will have the hunger also. I hope that he wins the Golden Boot. And then we will sit down next week and analyse this properly."

Ertugral is still eyeing an outside chance at third place for Aces.

At worst, Aces will have their best finish of sixth, beating seventh in 2013-14, if they lose against Stars and Chippa United beat Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium.

If AmaZayoni win and Platinum Stars and Chiefs both lose, Ertugral's side have a chance of third place.

"I think the team have done well. The problem is that in my opinion we could have done better. I'm not happy," Ertugral said.

"When you look at us conceding in the 97th minute against Tuks in a home draw [in December], and Golden Arrows [losing 4-2 from 2-0 up at home last month], we should have been in position three."

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