BONGANI MALUNGA
Mogakolodi Ngele has finally been released from his trying spell at ABSA Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns after his contract with the club ended this month. Ngele has joined another ABSA Premiership side in the form of Black Leopards, the Limpopo outfit announced the arrival of Ngele on a free transfer last week.
The club will give him a new lease of life and a chance to revive his career, the possibility of first team football for the first time in a year will provide a much needed boost for a player whose career looked to be at a crossroads.
Ngele has joined his fifth club in South African football having previously played for Sundowns, Platinum Stars, Bidvest Wits and Supersport United, his latest move makes him the most well travelled Motswana player in the PSL in terms of club representation. Gazette Sport has listed two main reasons why Ngele and Leopards could be perfect for each other at this stage of the player’s club career.
He thrives where there is less pressure
It is an open secret that Ngele is an introvert, he keeps his cards very close to his chest and this has become his usual way of operating. At Leopards, he will be devoid of the spotlight and constant media attention as compared to playing for one of South Africa’s big clubs. History suggests that Ngele will be at his best when he has less pressure, his spells at Platinum Stars and Bidvest Wits are perfect examples to support that notion.
At Stars and Wits, he could go about his business quietly and he collected trophies and made a huge impact along the way. Leopards are unlikely to present him with a chance to fight for trophies but they will give him a platform to perform in the PSL on a regular basis. The club has a huge following in the Limpopo area but they are not a huge attraction beyond their natural habitat, and this could work in Ngele’s favour. An environment which matches his ‘laid back’ personality could bring the best out of the Zebras star.
They need goals, he is proven PSL scorer
At 28 years old, Ngele is a proven player in the ABSA Premiership having won almost all trophies available in South Africa, his experience and championship winning pedigree will be a welcome boost for the club. A lot has been mentioned about his work rate but his biggest strength is his deadliness in front of goal. Ngele scores all types of goals, be it long range shots, late runs into the box or free kicks, his ability to score on a near prolific level when in peak form made him a force in the PSL and if he rekindles his old form he could provide Leopards with another scoring outlet.
Ngele has scored 34 goals in 124 matches and he has also provided 17 assists in all competitions in seven years in South Africa. His ability to score important goals could prove vital to Leopards’ chances of surviving next season as the club was in the wrong half of the table this past season.