HIGHLANDS Park striker Collins Mbesuma believes he can break his record of 27 league goals, set with Kaizer Chiefs in the 2004-05 season.
The Zambian player scored a sensational 35 goals in all competitions that season, an almost impossible feat to improve on.
Mbesuma has scored his first goal of the season for his new club Highlands as he helped them overcome fellow-rookies Baroka FC 2-1 in their opening Absa Premiership match at Makhulong Stadium, Tembisa, on Tuesday. He says the goal will help set the tone for the rest of the season.
Said Mbesuma: “It feels good to score, it’s for the team and supporters. Every season I target the Golden Boot – I want to break that record. Why not? It has been standing for many years.
“As long as I keep playing I will keep trying to break it. As a striker, I need to keep scoring so the team can keep winning. Anything is possible.”
The bulky striker reckons the win will boost their confidence ahead of their league clash with Chiefs at the same venue next Wednesday.
“This is a good start to boost our morale, especially since some of our players were playing in the lower division last season. It was a good game, we needed the three points. We have learnt from our mistakes and hope to do better in our next game.
“Other teams played their first match two weeks ago, while we were just watching. Now we know where we are in terms of the level of our game.”
The 32-year-old hopes his combination with former Jomo Cosmos striker Charlton Mashumba will contribute to the team’s success. Mashumba scored the winner against Baroka.
Explained Mbesuma: “He is a good player, he was scoring at Cosmos and I was scoring at Black Aces. We have been training together for six weeks and understand each other. I think it will be a good season for us.”
Mbesuma is not worried that coach Allan Freese’s system will require him to run a lot instead of hovering near the opposition penalty box.
“This is the type of football the coach want us to play. Everyone has to be involved.”
Freese also hopes Mbesuma and Mashumba’s combination will yield results.
“I hope they their partnership improves but overall I am happy with their performance.”
