Masango enjoys the challenge of playing abroad
SIBUSISO Zuma was a hit in Denmark, so Randers FC’s sports director Peter Christiansen felt there was no better person to ask about Mandla Masango’s potential than the retired Bafana Bafana star.
Christiansen and Zuma were teammates at Danish club FC Copenhagen, where the latter was adored by the fans, and it seems he put in a good word for Masango, who was snapped up by Randers on a three-year contract.
Masango has already scored twice for his new club in Denmark, on his official debut last Sunday against Siyabonga Nomvethe’s former club Aalborg after coming on as a substitute, and in a reserve league match a fortnight ago.
“They asked Zuma about me. I don’t know what he said to them though,” Masango said before talking about his goal which sealed a 2-0 victory for thirdplaced Randers.
“I came on in the 33rd minute and scored in the 81st minute. It was special because it was my first time playing for another club besides Kaizer Chiefs. It was a dream come true and I was happy with how everyone celebrated. Everyone came to me, even the goalkeeper, and it shows how happy they were for me.
“But before that we played a reserve league match. They take reserve league matches seriously there. I scored and we drew 2-2 against Aarhus, a team Josta (Dladla) used to play for. So far so good.”
Masango, who left Amakhosi after eight years, caught the attention of Christiansen at FNB Stadium last year.
Christiansen was not even there to watch Masango, but the winger ended up impressing the most and Randers kept tabs on him for the rest of the season.
The 26-year-old scored nine goals in all competitions last season, arguably his best campaign at Chiefs, and he featured regularly for Bafana Bafana. So Randers were able to also check his progress at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Equatorial Guinea in January.
“The sports director (Christiansen) came once. We were playing against SuperSport at FNB Stadium. They were there to see (Willard) Katsande but they were impressed by me,” Masango said.
“We won 2-0 and I scored. They kept tabs on me and they were also there during Afcon.”
Masango flat out refused to talk about his departure from Chiefs after the club announced that they failed to reach an agreement over a new deal. Masango trained on his own during pre-season after leaving Amakhosi.
Bidvest Wits, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates are said to have made enquires about Masango, but the player says he wanted to follow his overseas dream.
“There were offers abroad and locally, but Randers showed that they really wanted me. They were persistent.
“I had a little bit of information about Denmark from Josta and I also asked Lebogang Phiri (Brondby player),” Masango said. “I’ve always wanted to play overseas. You only live once. I like challenges so I do not fall into a comfort zone. I feel you should not stay at one place for long. You need to follow your dreams.”
The Danish Superliga is not a big league, but Masango believes it’s the right place for him.
“It’s a good league. There’s 12 teams and we play each team three times. There’s only one cup competition. Every game is packed. When you are playing away you can feel it. I want to do well for the club.”
They were there to see (Willard) Katsande but they were impressed by me