Down to the wire

Uche Prince Justine will be hoping to celebrate the Golden Boot award if he can overcome his two main rivals for the top scorer's award. Photo nicksellsphotography

It looks like a three-way battle for the top goalscorer's Golden Boot award in the Metfone C-league this season. Last year's winner Uche Prince Justine is in the hunt again and currently has 16 goals to his credit. He was back on the scoreboard at the weekend with two goals after a barren couple of games and a dent in his confidence, which he admitted to. You could see the relief on his face after he netted twice against BBU. His team, Phnom Penh Crown meet Kirivong next Sunday, when Justine will come up against his main rival for this season's Golden Boot, Julius Ononiwu, who's sitting at the top of the rankings on 19 goals. Julius has been a proven goalscorer over the last three seasons with the Takeo-based team and just so happens to come from the same state in Nigeria as Justine. The two goalscorers are friends off the pitch but there will be no quarter given on the field when they meet next weekend. Julius is in the driving seat with three goals in his favour and after meeting Crown, Kirivong face Naga, Wat Phnom and Prek Pra, so on paper Julius has two easy games to finish the season to bolster his account. Crown meet the Army, Naga and Preah Khan, so Justine will have his work cut out to pull back that 3-goal deficit, though Crown are certain to make the Super 4 stage, which will give Justine two extra games, while Kirivong are not yet guaranteed those extra matches. In addition, Teab Vathanak from Naga is on 15 goals and should not be ruled out of making a bid for the Golden Boot title. More of a goal-poacher than his other two rivals, Vathanak is the leading Cambodian striker in this season's competition and has matches against Khemara, Kirivong, Crown and Wat Phnom, as well as two Super 4 games, to add to his impressive tally. It looks like the destination of the Golden Boot award will come down to the wire.