Arnett’s Renaldo Cephas gunning for JPL golden boot
Arnett Gardens winger Renaldo Cephas took full advantage of the absence of two of the leading strikers in the Jamaica Premier League to close the gap at the top of the goal-scoring charts on Sunday even as the regular season draws to an end.
With Daniel Green and Atapharoy Bygrave both away on national duty at the Nations League with the Reggae Boyz, Cephas hit a brace to move up to 10 goals and place himself squarely in the race for the Golden Boot.
Speaking after the game, Cephas was quick to play down his role in Arnett’s thumping 3-1 derby win over rivals Tivoli Gardens.
“I am grateful, but it’s all about the team, so I am grateful for the three points,” he said.
“I am on 10 goals now, but it is all about the team performance and team goals, so it’s that we want to get to this season.”
Both the goals scored by Cephas were at the near post and almost identical. He explained why he chose to go near post on both occasions.
“On the first goal I caught him cheating, so I just went for it. On the second goal I cut inside and I knew the keeper would expect me to go to the far post, so I just kick it to the near post,” said the vastly improved player.
While refusing at first to comment on his goal tally, Cephas could not resist when asked about the race for the Golden Boot.
“I am coming first. I’m coming first. I just have to go for it,” he said with a smile.
Throughout the season, Cephas has proven to be one of the most deadly wingers in the competition and, with his improved goal-scoring form over last year, he is certainly one of the most improved players this season.