Nomvethe Reacts as Peter Shalulile Breaks PSL Goal Record

Ex-Bafana Bafana striker Siyabonga Nomvethe has spoken out after his long-standing PSL goal-scoring record was broken by Peter Shalulile last weekend. Shalulile netted his 130th league goal via a penalty against Stellenbosch FC at Athlone Stadium, surpassing Nomvethe’s record of 129 goals, which had stood for nearly eight years.

At 31, Shalulile still has several seasons to extend his tally, particularly after a potential move to Esperance fell through in recent weeks. Nomvethe, fondly known as ‘Bhele’, acknowledged the achievement in an exclusive interview with KickOff.com, praising Shalulile’s dedication and work ethic.

“We all wish that a South African player had broken the record, but there’s nothing we can do. The boy deserves this achievement. He worked hard for it, and he did it in front of everyone,” Nomvethe said.

He also reflected on the broader context of goal-scoring records in the league. “It’s always gratifying to see young players succeeding, regardless of their nationality. I understand the sentiment that such records should remain within our country rather than belong to other nations. For example, Collins Mbesuma still holds the record for the most league goals in a season, and that record belongs to Zambia.”

Nomvethe admitted he expected his record to be broken eventually, noting the advantage Shalulile has by still being active in the league while he has retired. He offered advice to aspiring strikers, emphasizing consistent hard work and a focus on goals.

“Hard work pays off. My advice to aspiring strikers is to work hard to score goals. Don’t expect goals to come easily. You should aim to finish each season as the league’s top goalscorer – that is the key focus for a striker. Every season, strive for the Golden Boot,” he said, reflecting on his own career, which began at African Wanderers in the 1990s.

Nomvethe also stressed the importance of goal-scoring for national team recognition. “A striker’s primary duty is to score goals, not to model on the field. Sometimes you must keep your ears closed and not pay attention to your teammates’ calls for a pass. Ultimately, it’s your performance in terms of goals that will be evaluated, not theirs. Don’t be overly generous. Even coaches prefer strikers who shoot rather than pass from inside the box.”

With Shalulile now holding the all-time PSL goal record, Nomvethe’s words highlight the dedication required to reach the top and offer guidance for the next generation of strikers in South Africa.