- Adds another blemish on log leaders Kaizer Chiefs record
- Returns coach Johnsosn’s faith in him by helping hold Chiefs to a draw
- Weekend goal is Ngele’s 35th and makes him highest scoring Botswana international in SA
TLOTLO KEBINAKGABO
After spending a lot time on the sidelines during which many feared for his career in the ABSA premiership, Mogakolodi “Tsotso” Ngele finally reignited his career over the weekend by scoring a goal after almost 18 months.
The last time that Ngele scored a goal was on February 3, 2018 when he was with Supersport United, helping the Pretoria side to defeat Bloemfontein Celtics 4-2. Ngele’s weekend goal was also his first of the 2019/20 season and further ended log leaders Kaizer Chiefs winning streaks through a well taken free kick when his side, Black Leopards, played to a 1-1 all draw against the Soweto-based giants.
“Tsotso,” as Ngele is better known, joined Leopards at the beginning of the current season after enduring at tough spell at champions Mamelodi Sundowns where he spent much of the time on loan or completely ignored. More disappointment seemed to follow him to Leopards where he twice came in as a substitute and was three times on the bench under both Luc Eymael and Lionel Soccoia who respectively coached the team within a space of six months.
However, things turned around earlier this year when Cavin Johnson joined the Limpopo-based team as the coach after Eymael was relieved of his duties. Johnson’s arrival saw “Tsotso” appear on all the four games that the club has played thus far this year. He started twice and came in as substitute twice. Thankfully for the lanky midfielder, he returned Johnson’s faith in him by netting against Chiefs.
Johnson has always bestowed trust upon Ngele. The two worked together on two occasions at Platinum Stars, which is now known as Cape Umoya. Ngele’s goal against Chiefs was his 15th under Johnson in the ABSA premiership ever since they started working together during the 2012/13 season. The Zebras international has played under the coach on 38 occasions during which he started 30 times, came in as a substitute six times and was on the bench twice.
Ngele’s weekend goal was also his 35th in 130 matches that he played in South Africa in all competitions, which makes him the record Motswana scorer in the ABSA premiership. He also has 17 assists to his name in the more than six years that he has been in South Africa.
Meanwhile, Leopards are currently panting for breath at 14th position in the relegation zone with 17 points after 18 games.