Mphela hammers strikers
In his heyday, Katlego Mphela was nicknamed “Killer” because of his instinct in front of goal when he turned out for sides such as Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United, while he was also a regular starter for Bafana Bafana under Pitso Mosimane.
Mphela is one of 14 South African strikers who have won the Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot, netting 17 goals in the Absa Premiership in the 2009/10 season. Ever since that season, only Knowledge Musona matched that feat the following season and Siyabonga Nomvethe scored 20 goals the year after.
“Killer” is not impressed with the level of scoring, or lack thereof, as the current leading goal scorer, Gabadinho Mhango, sits on 14 goals so far. The 35-year-old says had he still been active, he would have easily banged in no fewer than 20 goals this season.
“Scoring depends on many factors, it depends on which team you are playing for and the kind of players you have around you but if chances are there, I think I’d score 20 goals easily because of my ability. I believed in working hard, I’d always do extra training and when I got to the match, it was much easier,” said Mphela.
“Strikers are judged for scoring goals and I don’t think the strikers are doing okay. You can work as hard as you want but if you do not score goals, it is difficult. The guys need to go back to the drawing board and work harder. To score goals you need to do some extra training, you cannot wait for the coach to teach you and wait for the match to come, they need to dig deep and start scoring goals,” he added.
Mphela took a minute to congratulate his former coach Mosimane – who once labelled the striker the best No 9 in the country – for signing a new four-year deal at Chloorkop.
“I am happy for him and I am happy for Sundowns. It is a team where I spent almost half of my career and I think it is good for South African football and Sundowns. Pitso has achieved a lot of things there and he does not seem to be stopping any time soon. I think he is the only one who can take them to the next level.”