Gomora United striker Tiklas Thutlwa is making waves in the Motsepe Foundation Championship with an outstanding start to the season. The 27-year-old has scored eight goals in just seven matches and shows no sign of slowing down.

Thutlwa’s form has put him clear at the top of the scoring charts. His nearest rivals are Upington City’s Palelo Mafuyeka, who has five goals, and Leicesterford City’s Kavendree Makhene. Both are chasing hard, but the Gomora man is currently the man in form.

His goals have come at important moments. He scored a brace in a recent 2-3 defeat to Cape Town City and earlier netted both goals in a 2-1 win over Upington City. These performances have already matched the number of league goals he scored in the whole of last season.

Thutlwa’s journey to this hot streak has not been straightforward. He rose through the ranks at Black Leopards, where he once finished as the top scorer in the second tier with 16 goals in a single season. He also had a taste of the Betway Premiership with Black Leopards and later with Sekhukhune United. Injuries, including a serious leg fracture, disrupted his progress and limited his game time in the top flight.

After joining newly promoted Gomora United, he has found consistency and confidence again. The club’s supporters are now seeing the best of the forward who once caught the eye with important goals against big sides.

The big question being asked around South African football is whether Thutlwa is ready for a return to the Betway Premiership. His current scoring rate suggests he has the ability, but the jump from the Motsepe Foundation Championship to the top league remains a tough one. Clubs in the Premiership have watched players with similar form before, and many will be keeping an eye on how he performs as the season continues.

For now, Thutlwa is simply enjoying his football and helping Gomora United compete in the second tier. If he keeps finding the net at this rate, more people will start asking the same question: is he ready for the next level?

Source: https://x.com/KickOffMagazine/status/2112869697234329779