For any soccer star looking to fulfil their dream as becoming the best player they could possibly be, moving to a big club is often the route to go by. For some, however, jumping ship can backfire, leading to a downward spiral in a footballer’s career.
We’ve picked out a few players who were expected to shine in their new colours, but instead, have been given the cold shoulder by the club, or things just didn’t work out between all parties. Yes Tendai Ndoro, we’re looking at you.
First on the list is Thamsanqa Sangweni, a player who has made headlines across the country in recent weeks. With Orlando Pirates excelling under the tutelage of Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic, fans are beginning to wonder what has happened to the midfield prospect and younger brother of club-legend, Siyabonga Sangweni. A lengthy knee injury has given Pirates the opportunity to sign Xola Mlambo from Bidvest Wits and also give Marshall Munetsi a chance in the spine of the team, surely making it tougher for Sangweni to find his way back into the starting line-up.
Up next is my personal favourite and probably the most talented footballer on the list. You guessed right, it’s Siphelele Ntshangase. For me, ‘Stash’ is Kaizer Chiefs’ best playmaker, but then again, we could also argue the fact that he doesn’t fit into Steve Komphela’s formation. The club have been labelled as one of the most defensive teams in the land, however, Ntshangase’s champagne passes on the pitch can surely convince fans and media otherwise. Still, Komphela sticks to usual double pivot of Willard Katsande and rotates between George Maluleka and Wiseman Meyiwa.
The list cannot be complete without Mamelodi Sundowns duo, Aubrey Ngoma and Jeremy Brockie. Ngoma came to the club with high hopes after claiming the Absa Premiership Midfielder of the Season award last season and leading Cape Town City to a third place finish. Brockie, on the other hand, surely needs no introduction. Pitso Mosimane has labelled the 30-year old striker as a “Sniper”, but he has failed to live up to that, as his goal drought stretches game by game. The Kiwi international left crosstown rivals, SuperSport United, as the fiercest forward in the league. Now, both Brockie and Ngoma have failed to live up to expectations, with Sundowns forming a new front four of Percy Tau, Khama Billiat, Gaston Sirino and Sibusiso Vilakazi.
There is still plenty of time for me to eat the words I have written, but until then, I’m led to believe that there is a slight ounce of regret in each and every one of the five footballers I have mentioned.
Written by Jesse Nagel
