Joseph Molangoane
Joseph Molangoane is living the dream at the club he supported as a boy, but admits it has been a tough journey to become a first team regular at Kaizer Chiefs. His career has been one of plenty ups and downs, but at the age of 29 he feels he is at the ri
The Kaizer Chiefs winger on his journey to stardom
Joseph Molangoane has taken the path less travelled of having played for both Soweto Giants, Orlando Pirates and now Kaizer Chiefs, where he has been making waves as one of the stand-out players for Steve Komphela’s resurgent side this season. But his move to Chiefs was not without controversy. “Poppo” arrived at Naturena during pre-season but was forced to return to Port Elizabeth, where Chippa United were claiming he still had a running contract. However, following extensive sitting with the PSL Dispute Resolutions Chamber to resolve the contractual issues, the 29-year-old eventually completed his move to Amakhosi in December. It seemed that too much time had lapsed, too much water had flown under the bridge, for him to make an impact. But since then he has established himself as one of the key players on the flank, scoring in his third appearance – a 3-2 win over Polokwane City – and then against his former employers in the Soweto Derby in March. “I’m loving every minute of it and am enjoying myself here,” Molangoane tells KICK OFF. “I came into a team that wasn’t doing well and immediately after arriving things became okay, so clearly it’s a nice thing and I’m really happy to be here.” Evidently delighted with his decision to join Chiefs, Molangoane says he is thriving amongst the senior members of his new team, and has adopted an uber-positive approach to both his life and his football. “Being around the senior guys has helped me improve with every game because they are always telling me where I can do better, and that keeps my game growing,” he says. “I’m a positive person; whatever I’ve been through in football, it’s been important for me to stay positive and keep going forward. “Whatever has happened has happened, and I believe that God always has a way of putting you where you belong. Self-motivation keeps me going. You know you won’t be happy every day, so it’s important to have something that will push you, and that’s where my self-motivation comes in.” Born in Moletji, a small town to the west of Polokwane, “Tight” moved to the Johannesburg township of Alexandra with his family at the age of four, and remained focussed on his goal of becoming a professional footballer through his struggles in the poverty-
“PIRATES CHASED ME AWAY.”
stricken area just outside of Sandton . “Your childhood and where you come from says a lot about the person you are, and it wasn’t easy for me. I was fortunate my parents made everything look easy – even with food, there was nothing, but they would always make a plan and make it all look orderly,” he reminisces. “Every time I go through something that’s challenging or holding me back, I always remind myself that I’ve been through a lot worse before. “I always know that things eventually have a way of working themselves out, especially when it’s out of my control, so I think my background and where I come from pushes me and keeps me positive.” Molangoane came up through the Pirates youth structures, before being dumped as a teenager and having to find an alternative plan to reaching his dream. He eventually found the right home, making his Premier Soccer League debut with Platinum Stars in the 2009/10 Absa Premiership season, and went on to make 27 starts, scoring two goals. “I’ve been in football for quite some time, from a young age, and the setbacks have always been there,” he notes. “I played for Pirates development, but was chased away because of my height. At the start of every year they bring in new players to the development sides and the older players get cut down, and I was cut at the age of 14.
“Coming from Pirates and having to
go back to Alex to find another team wasn’t easy because as a young boy, when you get cut and have to go back home and explain what happened, it’s a bit embarrassing. “So the challenges have always come my way throughout my football career. For me to be where I am now is the most important thing, and I obviously have to give 110-percent for my team.” The diminutive winger believes he has since overcome the challenges of being overshadowed by taller, bigger and more muscular defenders, and says his experience and mental fortitude more than make up for his lack in height. “Before, it was a problem for me, but now I’ve been in football long enough to know where to go and where not to; how to go past opponents and how to create space, so I don’t think my height is an issue any longer. It’s all in the mind now,” he says. After three-and-a-half years with Dikwena, Molangoane joined AmaZulu on a six-month loan spell from January to June 2013, before rejoining The Buccaneers. However, his second coming at Mayfair was one of even more disappointment as he made just six substitute appearances in the 2013/14 season. “At Pirates it was difficult,” he recalls. “If you’re not strong it can tear you apart. Sometimes you’re a substitute, then you’re at home; sometimes you don’t train with the first team, you train with the other guys and it’s difficult to be in such an environment.
“You don’t know if you’re part of the
team or not – one time they call you to play in CAF competition, but when you come back you’re no longer in the team, and that was tough. As a player you always want to be part of the team, and when that’s not happening then a lot of things come into your mind. If you’re not strong enough, you’ll lose it.” Upon completing his move to the Glamour Boys, Molangoane made it publicly known that he had always supported the club through his childhood despite previously turning out for their arch-rivals, but explains his move to Pirates as merely part of the journey towards achieving his dream. “I grew up a Kaizer Chiefs fan,” he says. “I’m a fan of Chiefs but I love football, and I had an opportunity to play for Pirates development, which was the best thing for me at the time. “Eventually I became a professional player at Platinum Stars, but the most important thing for me was to keep playing the game I love. “Being here now is a dream come true. Even my mum knows it was always my dream to come here. It just shows that everything has worked out for me to be here [smiles]. Football can be funny. I’m just living my dream, that’s all I can say!” Having completed his best ever personal contribution in the PSL with the Chilli Boys last season, scoring four goals in 17 starts, Molangoane was shocked to learn of Chiefs’ interest ahead of the 2016/17 season, and reveals how it all unfolded. “I got a call from my agent Mike Makaab. He said, ‘Look, I’ve got this deal so we have to sit down and talk about it’ and I said, ‘No problem’. That’s when I realised it was real, and he always knew that I wanted to come to Chiefs, so it’s a dream come true.”
With reality still sinking in,
Molangoane is not resting on his laurels and insists he is out to start every game, and hopes to bag as many goals as he can in order to show off his vast array of celebrations. “My main goal is to play every game, give 100-percent for the team and score as many goals as I can,” he says. “Coach Steve is the one who gave me my PSL debut, so he knows me very well and understands me, and he knows what I can do for the team. “Anywhere the coach puts me, I’ll be comfortable and I’ll be able to give 100-percent. If the coach thinks on the day I would be effective as a winger, or number 10, I’ll do my best and put everything out on the pitch. “I enjoy myself as a winger. I like taking players on, assisting and scoring goals. I love scoring and celebrating. If I can score every game, I have a special celebration for each and every goal. “There’s always some dancing and joy that I can share with the team and the supporters, so that they can enjoy themselves too.”
“WHEN YOU GET CUT AND HAVE TO GO BACK HOME AND EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED, IT’S A BIT EMBARRASSING.”