Three key players at Highlands Park

In a series looking at all 16 Premier Soccer League clubs, we assess who have been three key players at Highlands Park so far this season as they push for a place in the top eight at the end of the campaign.

PETER SHALULILE

The Namibia international has been the lead forward at Highlands for a few years now, but this season has shown he can cut it at the top level in South Africa.

He has 12 goals in the league so far, and another three in the Nedbank Cup, to make him the joint highest scorer across all competition.

But his league goals have been key in pushing Highlands towards a top eight place, and should come as no surprise really after he netted 15 in helping the side to promotion from the National First Division in the 2017/18 campaign.

LUCKYBOY MOKOENA

Mokoena has emerged as a real star of this Highlands side in the last few seasons after starting every one of their league matches in the last campaign.

The full-back has missed just one game this season, meaning he has featured in 53 of their 54 matches since they won promotion back to the top-flight, the most of any other player in the squad and a signal of his consistency and ability to stay injury-free.

He has finally found a steady home after a journeyman career to this point – starting at Mpumalanga Black Aces, before later turning out for Chippa United, Garankuwa United, FC Cape Town and Real Kings, before joining Highlands in January 2018.

MOTHOBI MVALA

Mvala is the personification of club loyalty, having turned down the opportunity to move away from Highlands on a number of occasions in recent years.

he broke through at the club in the 2014/15 season and has largely been a regular since, helping them to promotion twice, and staying loyal when they were relegated from the top-flight.

He continues to be a top performer and regularly chips in with goals, having scored 39 in 138 starts in the league for Highlands, a good return for a midfielder.

Three of those have come this campaign, a number he will hope to add to in the coming months when football returns.