Opinion article by Kelvin Chokera
The Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League (PSL) is facing a worrying trend—teams are struggling to find quality goal scorers. Over the past decade, no striker has managed to score more than 20 goals in a single season, highlighting a serious problem in attacking quality.
The last player to achieve this feat was the late Norman Maroto, who netted 22 goals for Gunners FC in 2010. Since then, the league has failed to produce a prolific goal scorer, with most Golden Boot winners barely surpassing the 15-goal mark. This raises concerns about the development of strikers in Zimbabwe.
Looking at the current 2025 season, only TelOne, Highlanders, and Green Fuel have managed to score a significant number of goals, with each netting seven in their first four matches. Washington Navaya leads the scoring charts with four goals in four games. Could he be the one to finally break the 20-goal barrier?
Several factors contribute to this dilemma. Many promising forwards leave for foreign leagues before reaching their peak, while local clubs struggle with poor youth development structures. Tactical approaches have also shifted, with many teams prioritizing defensive play over attacking football.
If the PSL is to regain its attacking flair, clubs must invest in striker development, adopt more attacking strategies, and create an environment where goal scorers can thrive. Until then, the search for the next 20-goal-a-season striker continues.
