New player fired up by his goal in Chiefs win

JOSEPH Molangoane believes he can settle quickly at Kaizer Chiefs after having scored in his first start‚ a game in which he also played a role in Amakhosi’s first win in nine matches.

Chiefs meet Lamontville Golden Arrows at the Moses Mabhida Stadium tonight in both teams’ final match of the year before the six-week break in the PSL for Christmas and the Africa Cup of Nations.

Chiefs’ new signing started in Sunday’s 3-2 Premier win against Polokwane City at the FNB Stadium‚ a result that ended a run of eight league games and one cup match without a win for Amakhosi.

For Molangoane, his two substitutes’ appearances and one start have also ended a period of inactivity as he resolved a contractual dispute with former club Chippa United.

He said he was pleased to get back on a field and playing again. “I really missed it‚” he said.

“Just being a part of Kaizer Chiefs is a great feeling and scoring was the cherry on top.”

Molangoane said he put into practice against City elements that he had seen Chiefs needed in their play – after observing his new team in the skilful midfielder’s first few weeks on the bench.

“I just watch the game and things come to my head naturally. I have taken that and used it when given a chance, and some worked‚” he said.

“It’s always about the team and I am doing it for the Khosi nation.

“For me to go in there and score‚ I realised very quickly that it was not about me‚ but contributing towards the success of the team.”

Meanwhile, SuperSport United striker Kingston Nkhatha said his side were aware of the danger posed by Polokwane City in tonight’s final PSL match-up of the year for both teams.

Two teams in form meet at the Lucas Moripe Stadium‚ with Nkhatha having said SuperSport want to end the year on a high and give their supporters a present ahead of the break.

However‚ SuperSport are aware of the threat posed by City‚ who lost their first match in six on Sunday at the FNB Stadium.

“Polokwane City are in fantastic form‚” Nkhatha said. “There’s a lot of teamwork in their squad, that’s why they are fighting and pushing their way up. This is not going to be an easy one.

“We are also prepared for this match and want to give our supporters a nice Christmas present.”

City coach Luc Eymael was not pleased at how his side conceded Willard Katsande’s late winner after fighting back to 2-2 against Chiefs on Sunday.

This after Polokwane had also missed a penalty‚ taken by Rodney Ramagalela in the 23rd minute‚ which was an opportunity that would have given the visitors a more comfortable lead going into the half-time break. Ramagalela put City 1-0 up seven minutes later. “It was like against Pirates where they equalised in extra time‚” Eymael said‚ comparing the defeat against Chiefs to a 1-1 draw against Orlando Pirates on October 16 where Tendai Ndoro scored a 95th-minute equaliser.

“Our substitutions against Chiefs worked very well and we equalised directly. And unfortunately we made this big mistake in defence.

“I’m very disappointed. We were winning 1-0‚ and had a chance to go to 2-0‚ but the penalty was terrible again – it was the third penalty we have missed this year.

“I don’t understand this lack of concentration – there are so many points we have lost in matches in the dying minutes.

“We have to bounce back against SuperSport.”