I am not under pressure—Chiukepo

Revitalised Big Bullets forward Chiukepo Msowoya has said he is not in a cold sweat as the battle of the TNM Super League Golden Boot Award reaches the climax tomorrow afternoon.

Chiukepo who has banged in 13 goals, trails leading scorer Innocent Bokosi of Red Lions by just a goal going into the final fixture against Civo United this afternoon at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe where the People’s Team will also be officially crowned as champions.

Civo’s Nelson Kangunje (11 goals) and Chiukepo’s striking partner Jaffalie Chande (10 goals) also have an outside chance.

“It will be an honour to finish the league as top scorer after such a wonderful season, but I am not panicking.

“I will give it my best shot and see what comes out in the end. But having said that, credit should go to my teammates, it was more about team work than individual brilliance.

“So, whether I win the Golden Boot Award or not, it is not about personal glory. I appreciate the effort that my teammates put in and that we won the ultimate prize—the league championship, gives me satisfaction,” he said.

Bullets team manager Rahim Ishmael has said should Chiukepo win the Golden Boot Award, it will cap a perfect season for the team and the player as well.

“We are keeping our fingers crossed that he [Chiukepo] will rise to the occasion and the players are determined to help him achieve that goal,” he said.

Should Chiukepo score one goal, it means he will share the accolade with Bokosi like it was five years ago when Luka Milanzi shared it with Chikondi Mpulula.

Bokosi, who failed to create a two-goal lead when Lions lost to Be Forward Wanderers 1-0 in their final league match on Thursday, could not be reached for comment, but Lions coach blamed the referee for disallowing Bokosi’s goal in the first half.

“Bokosi should have been in the comfort zone now, but the referee disallowed his goal for no apparent reason and it is frustrating,” he said. n­­­