Mamelodi Sundowns striker Peter Shalulile admits his late-season surge wasn’t enough to secure the PSL Golden Shoe, ultimately awarded to Orlando Pirates’ Tshegofatso Mabasa.

However, Shalulile remains confident, hinting at a potential scoring showdown in the upcoming Nedbank Cup final. “Let’s see who takes their chances” on Saturday, he said, referencing the clash between the two in-form strikers.

The Nedbank Cup final on Saturday pits not only the top two PSL teams but also their red-hot strikers. Mabasa, returning to Pirates on loan in the second half of the season, transformed into a goal machine, claiming the Lesley Manyathela Award with 16 goals. Shalulile, despite a strong finish, fell short with nine goals.

Mabasa’s impressive form was particularly evident in the second half, where he netted 10 goals – surpassing Shalulile’s overall tally.

Shalulile expressed a desire for more competition in the Golden Boot race, tired of seeing “the same person winning.” He acknowledges the support of his coaches and teammates in helping him regain form.

“A lot of people were going on and writing. As a striker or as a person in life, life cannot only be good, they are down moments where things don’t go well for you,” said Shalulile. 

“You have to pick yourself up. With the support from my teammates, the coach (Rulani Mokwena) which you have seen in the media, they never gave up on me. As a player, you just go back to the drawing board and do the things you have been doing and eventually the break will always come.  

“You see I have started to get on form towards the end of the season, which is not my plan but God’s plan. And knowing that they are good players and top strikers for Pirates, it is something good because it is competitive now. 

“You just don’t want to see the same person getting the same thing, which is the top scorer award, we need to push, we need to make sure that it is competitive.”  

Shalulile managed only six goals in the second half, while Mabasa continued his dominance with 13 goals, including three in the Nedbank Cup.

“Mabasa is a good striker, for sure,” Shalulile acknowledged. “The ball is round, and we’ll see who takes their chances.”

The highly anticipated Nedbank Cup final sold out within two days, promising a thrilling encounter. Interestingly, it’s a rematch of the MTN8 final won by Pirates on penalties earlier this season.