SEKHUKHUNE United striker Prince Nxumalo has targeted 15 goals in a bid to help his side gain promotion to the DStv Premiership.
The former Ajax Cape Town striker has found the back of the net six times this season to ensure the Limpopo side keep up with GladAfrica Championship pace setter Richards Bay in the title race.
Sekhukhune, JDR Stars and Royal AM are tied on 24 points, three points behind the Natal Rich Boyz with 15 matches played.
Sekhukhune beat highly rated Free State Stars 1-0 at Makhulong Stadium, Tembisa over the weekend to stay in the race.
Said Nxumalo: “I didn’t start a lot of games as I was normally introduced as a substitute, but I have no doubt that I will reach 15 goals with the support of my teammates.The players around me make it easier (to score) and when I get a chance, I use it.”
The 30-year-old said having a lot of quality players who can score eases pressure on him.
“We have a lot of quality in the team and everyone knows what they want (promotion). We work for each other and they not only rely on me for goals, which is a good sign in reaching our goal.
“We have 14 games left and we know it won’t be an easy passage to glory. Our focus is on the next game (against Pretoria University at Tuks Stadium on Saturday) instead of worrying about all our opponents,” he said.
Nxumalo reckons he can also follow in the footsteps of Swallows FC striker Ruzaigh Gamildien, who received his second Bafana Bafana call-up at the age of 32 to face Ghana and Sudan in the Africa Nations Cup qualifiers on 25 and 28 March.
“I won’t lose hope as long as I have a South African green Identity book I will see myself playing for Bafana one day.
“I am 30 at the moment and there are other players like Gamildien who give me hope because they got a call-up late in their careers,” stated Nxumalo.
He said that the standard of football in the Championship is tougher than playing in the top flight.
He went on: “You need to be strong physically and mentally to play in our division. You won’t play here or deal with an aerial tussle if you are soft.
“They prefer man to man marking than zonal football used in the PSL, therefore I have learnt to think quickly before I receive a pass or else you won’t play.”
