RamaG revelling in the freedom of the City
Rise and Shine striker Rodney Ramagalela reflects on his impressive season and the difficulties he’s faced in his career. He speaks to Tiyani wa ka Mabasa
Looking at your PSL stats, you’ve never before reached double figures in terms of goals in a season. Now you are on nine and it’s just halfway into the season. Why have you been better this season?
It’s the freedom I have here at Polokwane City and having players like Jabu (Maluleke), who know how to pass when a player is making a run. Credit has to go to my teammates like Jabu, Thabiso Semenya, Rendani Ndou, Puleng (Tlolane) and others. The support they are giving me is amazing, that’s why I’m doing well.
The coach (Bernard Molekwa) and the big man up there, the chairman (Johnny Mogaladi) have been very good to me. As a player, if you are happy you would do well.
You were player of the month for October, while also winning the goal of the month prize for August/September…
I didn’t expect it to happen to me, but I felt happy. I didn’t expect it because players like RamaG are not skilful. But I’m glad that those who voted for me see what I’m doing.
You have played for Black Leopards, Mamelodi Sundowns, Golden Arrows and now City. At Sundowns where you really struggled, so what happened there because you scored just four goals in 20 games over two seasons?
No, I didn’t fail. You said I played 20 games, but I didn’t start all those games at Sundowns. I think I started two games and I was mostly coming from the bench, which was like five minutes here and 10 minutes there. If you put all those minutes together, I don’t think they can get to 120 minutes.
I struggled with injuries there, so I can’t blame the coach (Pitso Mosimane) for the fact that I didn’t start many games.
You turned 29 on Wednesday, so how long do you see yourself playing in the PSL?
I see myself playing for another eight to nine years based on the way I look after myself. I run better than a 21year-old.
These days you are attracting a lot of attention, which brings with it the pressure. Are you going to be able to maintain your form?
Yes, people have to look at the top scorer and how he goes about scoring goals, but this is not about me.
It’s about the 11 players out there and people forget about players like Jabu, who’s making things happen for us.
Since you’ve been on fire, rumour has it that Orlando Pirates want you. How true is that?
You are the first person to tell me this. I’ve never heard it from anyone, so it’s just a rumour.
Do you think you deserve to be in the national team?
You must wait for the coach (Stuart Baxter) to make the decisions and respect them. As a player, I will always be ready for what’s coming my way.
You guys play Kaizer Chiefs tomorrow. What can fans expect?
Chiefs know what’s coming for them. I think it’s going to be an interesting game, a tough one also.