Lamontville Golden Arrows' Sede Dion on the verge of PSL Golden Boot history
Final Matchday
LAMONTVILLE Golden Arrows forward Junior Dion has been in fine form this season, with his goals proving vital as his side push to cement their place in the top eight putting him in the verge of PSL history
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SHOULD Lamontville Golden Arrows striker Sede Dion remain unmoved as the Betway Premiership’s top goalscorer for the 2025/2026 season after the final matchday on Saturday, history will be rewritten in the Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot race.
The season, ending with all matches kicking off simultaneously at 3pm on Saturday, is the 29th edition of the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
To date, a total of seven countries have been represented in the PSL Golden Boot history: Zimbabwe (three times), South Africa (17 times), Zambia (seven times, with Collins Mbesuma winning it twice), Namibia (three times, all belonging to Peter Shalulile), while Malawi, Senegal, and Brazil (once each).
Senegal and Brazil remain the only two countries outside the COSAFA region to feature on the PSL Golden Boot winners' list. Brazil is the only non-African country, while Dion’s exploits mean the Ivory Coast is close to becoming only the second West African country to be represented, after Senegal.
Six times the Golden Boot has been won with 16 goals, a tally that has only been shared once — by Peter Shalulile (Highlands Park) and Gabadinho Mhango (Orlando Pirates). While Dion can reach that tally should he find the net twice against TS Galaxy on Saturday, his current haul of 14 is also a common number, having been recorded five times before.
The 10 goals scored by Kaizer Chiefs’ Bernard Parker in the 2013/2014 season remain the lowest winning haul, while Amakhosi’s Collins Mbesuma’s 25 in the 2004/2005 season remains the highest.
Sundowns lead the team standings with five Golden Boots, while Soweto giants Pirates, Moroka Swallows, and Chiefs are tied on four, and Manning Rangers sit on three.
Another piece of history that Dion stands to rewrite is becoming the first KZN-based player to win the award in 16 years, since it was claimed by the late Richard Henyekane in the colours of Arrows during the 2008/2009 season.
The two players closest to Dion, excluding Sundowns players, are Pirates’ Relebohile Mofokeng (on 10) and Oswin Appollis (on nine).
List of PSL Golden Boot Winners by Nationality
Zimbabwe — Wilfred Mugeyi (1996/1997, 22 goals for Bush Bucks), Gilbert Mushangazhike (2000/2001, 19 goals for Manning Rangers), and Knowledge Musona (2010/2011, 17 goals for Kaizer Chiefs).
South Africa — Keryn Jordan (1997/1998, 11 goals for Manning Rangers), Pollen Ndlanya (1998/1999, 21 goals for Kaizer Chiefs), Ishmael Maluleke (2001/2002, 18 goals for Manning Rangers), Lesley Manyathela (2002/2003, 18 goals for Orlando Pirates), Jackie Ledwaba (2003/2004, 14 goals for Zulu Royals), Richard Henyekane (2008/2009, 19 goals for Golden Arrows), Katlego Mphela (2009/2010, 17 goals for Mamelodi Sundowns), Siyabonga Nomvethe (2011/2012, 20 goals for Moroka Swallows), Katlego Mashego (2012/2013, 13 goals for Moroka Swallows), Bernard Parker (2013/2014, 10 goals for Kaizer Chiefs), Moeketsi Sekola (2014/2015, 14 goals for Free State Stars), Lebogang Manyama (2016/2017, 13 goals for Cape Town City), Rodney Ramagalela (2017/2018, 11 goals for Polokwane City), Percy Tau (2017/2018, 11 goals for Mamelodi Sundowns), Bradley Grobler (2020/2021, 16 goals for SuperSport United), Khanyisa Mayo (2022/2023, 12 goals for Cape Town City), and Tshegofatso Mabasa (2023/2024, 16 goals for Orlando Pirates).
Zambia — Dennis Lota (1999/2000, 18 goals for Orlando Pirates), Collins Mbesuma (2004/2005, 25 goals for Kaizer Chiefs and 2015/2016, 14 goals for Mpumalanga Black Aces), Christopher Katongo (2006/2007, 15 goals for Jomo Cosmos), James Chamanga (2007/2008, 14 goals for Moroka Swallows), and Mwape Musonda (2018/2019, 16 goals for Black Leopards).
Senegal — Mame Niang (2005/2006, 14 goals for Moroka Swallows).
Malawi — Gabadinho Mhango (2019/2020, 16 goals for Orlando Pirates).
Namibia — Peter Shalulile (2019/2020, 16 goals for Highlands Park; 2021/2022, 23 goals for Mamelodi Sundowns and 2022/2023, 12 goals for Mamelodi Sundowns).
Brazil — Lucas Ribeiro Costa (2024/2025, 16 goals for Mamelodi Sundowns).