Football
Nick Said, Special to ESPN 6y

Spectacular goals light up early rounds of the Absa Premiership

There have been just two rounds of the Absa Premiership played so far but already five goals of the highest quality have been scored - all potential entrants for the Goal of the Season award and one that might even make FIFA's list of top strikes in the year.

The Absa Premiership had a goals problem last season - there were not nearly enough scored - but so far in this campaign the strike-rate has improved and the quality of some of the goals truly eye-catching.

KweséESPN looks at five of the best that have been netted so far this season.

LUCKYBOY MOKOENA
Match: Highlands Park vs Black Leopards, August 9
The goal: This one almost needs to be seen to be believed as Mokoena put himself in the frame for FIFA's top goal list with a stunning volley from 40-yards that nestled in the top corner.

There was nothing lucky about this strike either as the ball fell to him, he lined up the volley and blasted a fizzing, dipping shot that initially looked to be heading over before it struck the underside of the bar and went in.

He certainly meant it as a shot, but it is probably a once-in-a-lifetime goal for a player that doesn't get too many.

It was, in fact, just his third goal in 108 appearances in professional football.

The match would end in disappointment though as newly-promoted Highlands Park blew a 2-0 lead in injury-time at the end of the game and had to settle for a point.

KNOX MUTIZWA
Match: Maritzburg United vs Lamontville Golden Arrows, August 5
The goal: Lamontville Golden Arrows opened their league season with a surprise 2-0 away victory over Maritzburg United and their opening goal was an absolute beauty.

Zimbabwe striker Mutizwa has a big frame but a mediocre goal-scoring record for Abafana Bes'thende as before this season he had netted just 12 times in 46 appearances. He got his season off to an electric start though with a brilliant overhead-kick goal to set Arrows on their way to victory.

The ball fell to him 10 yards out with his back to goal and his acrobatic effort was perfectly times as the ball flew past a startled Maritzburg keeper Richard Ofiri.

It was great technique and timing from Mutizwa, and he will hope will be the first of many this season.

DEON HOTTO
Match: Kaizer Chiefs vs BidVest Wits, August 7
The goal: Hotto has arguably been the best player on display in the opening two rounds of the league, with two goals and a couple of assists.

His season opener against Free State Stars was all about the deft touch over the goalkeeper, but his second at Kaizer Chiefs on Tuesday had power and accuracy.

Hotto collected the ball some 30 yards from goal and as the Chiefs defence stood off him, he unleashed a powerful strike that dipped and swerved to beat AmaKhosi keeper Itumeleng Khune.

It is not often that the Bafana Bafana gloveman gets beaten from that distance, and he might have gone for the ball with the wrong hand, but take nothing away from the quality of the strike by Namibia international Hotto.

The winger has now netted 10 times in 139 appearances in South African football, with two of those goals coming this season.

Wits won the game 3-1 for a full haul of six points and six goals from their opening two games.

ROLAND PUTSCHE
Match: Cape Town City vs SuperSport United, August 4
The goal: When Austrian midfielder Putsche scores they tend to be goals of quality and this one was certainly no exception as he helped Cape Town City to a opening day 2-0 win over SuperSport.

The Mother City side had struggled to break down SuperSport to that point, but when winger Surprise Ralani's cross fell to Putsche on the edge of the box, he lashed a volley across the face of goal.

It had too much power for goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, and although he got a touch, there was nothing he could do to keep the ball out of the net.

It was great technique from Putsche, first to catch the ball so sweetly, but also to keep it down.

The Austrian now has six goals in 62 appearances in South African football.

RICARDO WILLIAMS
Match: Highlands Park vs Black Leopards, August 9
The goal: The second player from Highlands Park to appear on the list and while the strike did not quite have the same quality as Mokoena's effort, it was a brilliant goal nonetheless.

Williams has himself won a corner that was floated to the edge of the box and he met the ball on the volley with his left foot.

The strike was perfect as it arrowed into the corner of the net, leaving the keeper with no chance at all. It should have been the late insurance goal Highlands Park needed, but in the end they had to settle for a point.

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