JDR Stars’ Ishmael Wadi may be one of the in-form strikers in the GladAfrica Championship, but the Zimbabwe international is far from being satisfied.
Wadi, who recently spearheaded Zimbabwe’s attack in their defeat to Bafana Bafana in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers at FNB Stadium, boasts six league goals thus far.
Joint GladAfrica top-scorers Luvuyo Phewa of University of Pretoria and Polokwane City’s Khuda Muyaba are one goal ahead of Wadi. Even so, the JDR marksman isn’t content, feeling he’s been wasteful in front of goal.
“I'm not satisfied with six goals that I’ve scored because lately I have been wasteful. I should have scored 10 by now. But football is like that sometimes. I will keep on pushing because my target is to score double digits [minimum 10] by mid-season,’’ Wadi told Sowetan yesterday.
Challenging for the Golden Boot is the last thing in Wadi’s mind, prioritising helping JDR maintain their top slot until the end.
“We want promotion this season, I don’t think about any other things apart from that. My only target is to score more goals this season for my team to get promoted, not to win individual prizes,’’ noted Wadi.
JDR host fourth-placed Richards Bay at Soshanguve Giant Stadium tomorrow. These two sides are separated by three points, meaning a JDR defeat will mean they are equal on 24 points. Wadi knows the significance of overcoming Natal Rich Boyz, banking on the home ground advantage.
“This is an important game for us because Richards Bay are fighting to be on top. It’s a top-of-the-table clash, so a lot is at stake. However, we don’t have to put ourselves under unnecessary pressure. Playing at home should help us to get maximum points,’’ said Wadi.
Wadi, 28, is also keen to impress his national team coaches to make the final squad of next-year’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), where his Zimbabwe are pitted against Guinea, Malawi and Senegal in Group B of the tournament to be staged in Cameroon.
“To make the final squad, I think l have to be on top of my game here at my club. After that I will leave it to my the coaches to decide if I get the nod or not,’’ said Wadi.
Fixtures (all at 3.30pm)
Tomorrow: Leopards v Callies, Old Peter Mokaba Stadium; City Rover v Venda Academy, Olen Park; All Stars v Cosmos, Parow Park; JDR V Bay, Giant Stadium
Sunday: Tshakhuma v Spurs, Thohoyandou Stadium; AmaTuks v Uthongathi, Tuks Stadium; Lions v Sporting, GWK Park; Polokwane v FS Stars, Old Peter Mokaba Stadium
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