Mandla Masango questions PSL standards

The failed marriage between Mandla Masango and Kaizer Chiefs is now a distant memory, and the Bafana Bafana midfielder is embracing life at Danish Superliga club Randers FC.

Masango was one of the standout players at Chiefs in their title-winning 2014/15 season, but that did not stop a contractual dispute that was laced in drama.

Masanago, along with Itumeleng Khune and PSL player of the year Tefu Mashamaite, could not agree on new terms with Chiefs.

In the end, Khune would resolve his differences with the Motaungs while Masango secured a move to Randers and Mashamaite put pen to paper at BK Hacken.

And, Masango says, playing in Europe is making him a better footballer.

"It’s good for the nation. It benefits both me and the national team also," Masango said of his new venture.

"The standard that side is always higher than our standard and I get to learn new things all the time at training that I am applying when I come back home."

Masango added that the strong African contingent in Europe also made life easier.

"As African brothers when we’re that side we’re more like blood brothers … we look out for each other and we communicate," he said.

"When we play against each other we talk after the game or before the game.

"When you see these guys and they’ve been there for long, they’ve been dominating, you also want to be in the same path in them."

Masango has been named in Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba's starting lineup for Tuesday night's World Cup qualifying second leg clash against Angola.

Bafana take a 3-1 lead into the clash, and will progress to the final African group stage qualifiers for Russia 2018 should they emerge victorious at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

"There’s always room for improvement. In every game we play we play to win and try to score as many goals as we can," said Masango.

Kick-off on Tuesday is at 19:00.

Teams:

Bafana Bafana:

Jackson Mabokgwane (captain), Thulani Hlatshwayo, Thabo Matlaba, Rivaldo Coetzee, Erick Mathoho, Bongani Zungu, Dean Furman, Mandla Masango, Mpho Makola, Tokelo Rantie, Thamsanqa Gabuza

Substitutes:

Wayne Sandilands, Ronwen Williams, Siyabonga Nhlapho, Clayton Daniels, Kamohelo Mokotjo, George Lebese, Themba Zwane, Dino Ndlovu, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Lehlohonolo Nonyane, Phumlani Ntshangase