TSOTSO CLEANS UP THE PSL
...Ngele now established as top football export
One of the country’s finest football exports, Mogakolodi ‘Tsotso’ Ngele has now won every trophy in the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) and sits among the local greats to ever play in South Africa. The Zebras midfielder has now won a total of six trophies in SA.
Blessed with football intelligence and an eye for goals, the experienced Ngele has lifted six titles with different teams including Sundowns, Bidvest Wits and Platinum Stars. Recently Ngele has sealed his legacy with Tshakuma by winning the Nedbank Cup.
Although the PSL has had its fair share of serial winners, who made winning major trophies a habit, none would have predicted that Mogakolodi ‘Tsotso’ Ngele would be among those names as the Tshakuma midfielder continues to shine at the highest levels of international sport.
He is a true and living example of what proper grassroots development can produce. Born with this rare talent, Tsotso was unearthed and nurtured properly by none other than Sexton Kowa who brought the young boy through the ranks.
Success has followed Tsotso everywhere and he is now the first Motswana player to win all trophies on offer in the PSL with different clubs. Phenyo Mongala won the trophies while playing for Orlando Pirates from 2009 until 2012.
Tsotso has led Platinum Stars to both the Telkom Knockout Cup and the MTN 8 in 2013. He won two league titles before he traded the league champions for Bidvest Wits in the middle of the season, but won the league title at Bidvest Wits in the 2016/2017 season. He was denied a CAF Champions League medal when Mamelodi Sundowns won their maiden CAF Champions League in 2016.
When Tshakuma lifted the Nedbank Cup this past weekend, Tsotso was hailed by local football supporters as one of the most decorated football export, having won all competitions in the PSL, his talent has placed him above the likes of Diphetogo Selolwane, Mogogi Gabanamong and Boitumelo Mafoko, among few others.
Now at the age of 31, Ngele has grown out of the PSL ceiling and his longevity in a foreign country speaks for him and his character as a player. Local pundit, Citie Keagakwa believes the lanky midfielder has already missed the train to European football.
“I honestly believe he missed the plot when he went to Sundowns, but for financial benefits it was good for him, I guess. It’ll be best for him to remain in SA before coming back to his homeland, he’s missed the train to Europe.”
Keagakwa further added that the Zebras player still has an opportunity to play in the CAF competition with TTM, “whether he can reunite with Gavin Hunt at Kaizer Chiefs is something we can’t brush aside, he’s worked under him at Bidvest Wits but for now in the remaining games, he must break into the starting XI of TTM to show if he can still be a worthy asset to the likes of Kaizer Chiefs,” he said.
He admitted Ngele might still be hungry for more trophies and possibly might relish an opportunity to get closer to the record of 15 major trophies currently held by Daine Klate. “Winning is addictive as winners want to stay winning; the hunger and the appetite is something that is insatiable. Gianlugi Buffon is still playing because he wants a champions League medal, that’s champion’s mentality.”
Tsotso, now reaching the age of 31 is at the peak of his powers; he’s had a few difficulties in recent years but rose from his ashes like a phoenix. “I believe he still wants to give the South African football lovers the Mogakolodi Ngele who popped up at Platinum Stars.”
Matshidiso Kowa this week told this publication that he feels proud to have been the one to unearth the talent of Ngele, “it’s moments like these when one feels really proud. I have worked with him when he was about six years and I have watched him turn professional and will definitely want to see him retire.”
Kowa says Ngele could have played in Europe but he was approached by agents who did not want the best for him but to enrich their pockets. He stressed that age has caught up with him and a move to Europe cannot be a possibility anymore.
“He still has three to four years left in him and if he can be at the right club he can win a couple more trophies. He needs a coach who will appreciate his talent and experience and he will definitely add more titles to his name.”
Ngele has been linked with a move to Soweto giants, Kaizer Chiefs. He couldn’t make his move to Naturena since the team was serving a transfer ban and now with the ban almost over it remains to be seen if the midfielder will reunite with his former Coach at Bidvest Wits, Gavin Hunt.