Kanyenda named in Cosafa Cup top scorers

Veteran striker Esau Kanyenda has been named as one of the region’s strikers to have left a mark at the Confederation of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) Cup.

Though having appeared at several editons, it is the retired Flames striker’s exploits at the 2002 tourney that has earned him the spot.

Kanyenda is on the list having emerged top goal scorer in 2002 after scoring two goals alongside Mfanzile Dlamini, Siza Dlamini (both Swaziland), Rotson Kilambe (Zambia), Teboho Mokoena, Patrick Mayo   (both South Africa)

The record for the most goals in a single tournament is five, shared by Sarivahy Vombola (Madagascar) and Felix Badenhorst (Swaziland) in the last two tournaments, according to Cosafa website, www.cosafa.com.

“Players from Zimbabwe have been top of the list in five of the previous 16 tournaments, and that country continues to produce the leading marksmen from the region.

“The great Peter Ndlovu has appeared on the leading scorers list on three occasions—two of those back-to-back in 2003 and 2004.

“He also shared the award with compatriots Tauya Mrewa, Shepherd Muradzikwa and Benjamin Nkonjera in 1998 when the quartet of Zimbabwean players all netted two goals,” states the website.

In the last edition, Gabadhino Mhango was close to the golden boot award after scoring three goals.

However, Malawi was booted out in the group stage ending the Bidvest Wits striker’s dreams.

But his three goals helped him break Kanyenda’s record of most goals from Malawian player at Cosafa Cup.  n