Mamelodi Sundowns pair backed to challenge for Betway Premiership Golden Boot

Former Premier Soccer League striker Lungisani Ndlela believes Mamelodi Sundowns forwards Brayan Leon and Cassius Mailula are the leading candidates to finish as the Betway Premiership’s top scorers this season, with both capable of reaching 20 goals.

Ndlela has identified either Leon or Mailula as his likely Golden Boot winner, pointing to Sundowns’ attacking strength and regular production in front of goal.

“Leon is a scoring machine, so he’s my obvious pick to win the award,” Ndlela told Soccer Laduma.

Leon currently has three league goals, placing him among the early challengers in the scoring race. AmaZulu forward Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya leads the standings with five goals, while TS Galaxy striker Victor Letsoalo is second on four.

Stellenbosch forward Quwan Plaatjies and Richards Bay attacker Nqaba Xulu have also scored three goals each, alongside Leon.

Although the competition remains at an early stage, Ndlela expects the contest to develop into a battle between the two Sundowns forwards. He believes the club’s ability to create and score a high number of goals could give Leon and Mailula a significant advantage over the course of the campaign.

“For me, Leon and Cassius Mailula. It’d be between those two. Sundowns scores lots of goals, which tells you what to expect in terms of who would be up there,” he said.

Ndlela also suggested this season could produce the league’s next 20-goal striker, a milestone that has not been reached by many players in recent years.

“Leon is more than capable of achieving that. He knows where the goalposts are that guy. It’s possible for Leon and Mailula to get there. They must just remain focused,” added Ndlela.

Leon is therefore Ndlela’s clear first choice for the individual award, but the former PSL striker believes Mailula has the quality to remain in contention if he maintains his focus and benefits from Sundowns’ attacking approach.

The club’s scoring record is central to Ndlela’s prediction. With Sundowns expected to provide their forwards with regular opportunities, he feels either player could build a sustained run of goals and challenge for the competition’s leading scorer prize.

Peter Shalulile was the last striker to score more than 20 league goals in a season. He finished the 2021/22 campaign with 23 goals, setting the most recent benchmark for the division’s leading marksman.

The current scoring standings are headed by Ngwenya on five goals, with Letsoalo on four and Leon, Plaatjies and Xulu all on three. Mailula’s prospects, meanwhile, remain part of Ndlela’s wider prediction that one of the Sundowns forwards could emerge as the league’s next 20-goal scorer.