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'Killer': Where PSL strikers are getting it wrong

Bafana Bafana legend Katlego 'Killer' Mphela has given his assessment of where he believes current PSL strikers are getting it wrong, with Collins Mbesuma's 2004/05 record yet to be broken.

It is not a stretch to say Mphela is one of South Africa's greatest ever PSL-era strikers. After all, the Brits-born man scored 23 goals for Bafana Bafana in his 53 national team appearances.

Only Benni McCarthy (32) and Shaun Bartlett (29) scored more.

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Domestically, he was just as lethal, scoring 62 club goals during his professional career.

In 2009/10, his 17 goals were enough to clinch the Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot.

These days, though, PSL players have struggled to replicace the numbers posted by the likes of Mphela.

Whether that is due to competition in the league or a decline in quality goal scorers remains debatable. 

Tshegofatso Mabasa won the award last season with 16 goals to his name.

In fact, in recent history, only Peter Shaulile's tally of 23 goals, achieved in two seasons ahp, has come close to unseating Mbesuma from the throne. 

Siyabonga Nomvethe came close with 20 goals for Moroka Swallows in the 2011/12 campaign.

The PSL has also seen some embarrassingly low tallies win the prestigious award, with Bernard Barker needing just 10 goals to claim the honours in 2013/14, while Rodney Ramagalela and Percy Tau shared the award in 2017/2018 after both scoring 11 goals.

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Speaking on the Pitchside Podcast, Mphela revealed where he thought things are going wrong for the PSL's sharpshooters.

"I think, first of all, most of the guys use the wrong technique, in terms of using the side foot, if you want to shoot, the decision making and there is a lack of composure – everyone is in a rush.

"But also, you must remember, when we were playing, we always stayed behind. We don't wait for the coach to teach us how to score, target practice, all of that. It's about repetition. It's like riding a bicycle - you have to repeat, repeat and in the game it will come naturally.

"I don't think most of these guys do extra training. They need that. You can't just wake up and score goals. 

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"I don't think they are bad strikers. You don't just wake up and score goals, [To play in the PSL] means you've been scoring goals when you were younger, but now you are at a different level, there is pressure, there are many things, so you have to practice more.

"Hopefully they get it right this season."

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