LYNOTH Chikuhwa scored Highlanders Football Club’s first hat-trick in almost a decade in Bosso’s 4-0 rout of relegation-threatened Green Fuel at Babourfields on Sunday.
Chikuhwa, now on 15 goals, leads the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League’s top goal-scorers chart, three ahead of Khama Billiat of Yadah, Caps United’s William Manondo and Simba Bhora’s in-form striker Tymon Machope.
The last Bosso player to score a hat-trick was Knox Mtizwa in a 5-1 victory over How Mine at the same venue on August 16, 2015.
Mtizwa’s impressive performance that season earned him a move to the South African Premier League, joining Bidvest Wits.
Other notable hat-tricks by Bosso players since 2010 include Charles Sibanda’s treble against Bantu Rovers in 2014 and Milton Ncube’s haul against Blue Rangers in 2012 (4-0).
Chikuhwa, Ncube and Sibanda all achieved their hat-tricks under the guidance of coach Kelvin Kaindu.
Kaindu expressed confidence in Chikuhwa’s chances of winning the Golden Boot Award.
“Our leading goalscorer scored a hat-trick and possibly making it certain that he may probably win the Golden Boot at the end of the season. There are still a few games to be played, but for him to open a lead of two to three goals is good,” the Zambian mentor said.
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Chikuhwa owes part of his success to Brighton Ncube, who tirelessly created opportunities for his strike partner.
Kaindu praised Ncube’s selflessness and praised the unity in the team.
“Despite Sonjy (Lynoth) scoring the three goals, I saw MaNinja (Brighton) working for him, even looking for him in a position where he could score himself, that shows the love and unity in the team. At the end of the day, Sonjy can get the award, but it’s for the team,” the Bosso coach said.
Chikuhwa became the second player in the 2024 season to score a hat-trick, following Ngezi Platinum’s Takunda Benhura, who scored four against relegation-threatened Hwange.
Meanwhile, Green Fuel remain optimistic about their fate despite the 4-0 loss at Barbourfields Stadium.
Assistant coach Taurai Mangwiro believes they control their destiny.
“Yeah, we are in a precarious position, but the good thing is that destiny is still in our hands. It’s not like we are dependent on results from other teams,” he said.
“For us we have Hwange coming, they are in the same bracket as us, Yadah are coming and they are just above us.
“So that is why I’m saying destiny is in our own hands . . . What we need now is survival and come back a refreshed lot once we survive.”
Green Fuel occupy 13th position with 36 points, one point above Bulawayo Chiefs, who face challenging fixtures against FC Platinum, Manica Diamonds and ZPC Kariba.
They are four points ahead of Bikita Minerals, who occupy the last relegation slot.
Hwange’s crucial victory over Chicken Inn at the Colliery Stadium propelled them to 32 points.
If Hwange or Bikita win all their remaining matches, they will reach 41 points, meaning Green Fuel need two victories to survive.
ZPC Kariba have lost form at a critical stage, winning only once in their last five matches.
Despite holding Yadah to a 1-all draw at the Heart Stadium, Newman Chitewe’s charges have 36 points.
They face tough assignments against Dynamos, Bulawayo Chiefs and Simba Bhora.
Chegutu Pirates prolonged their fate after an impressive 2-1 victory over Chicken Inn at the Baobab Stadium.
They moved to 29 points, but they now depend on other teams to drop points to survive.
With Simba Bhora leading the league, focus shifts to the relegation battle.
Arenel Movers have been officially relegated, while teams in mid-table are also at risk of relegation.
