Molangoane’s ‘Tight’ statistics tell the story of his influence at Kaizer Chiefs

26 May 2017 - 17:31 By Tiisetso Malepa
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Kaizer Chiefs' winger Joseph Molangoane celebrates as Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo looks on in disbelief during the Absa Premiership match between the Soweto giants at FNB Stadium on March 04, 2017 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Kaizer Chiefs' winger Joseph Molangoane celebrates as Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo looks on in disbelief during the Absa Premiership match between the Soweto giants at FNB Stadium on March 04, 2017 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Image: Barry Aldworth/Gallo Images

At 28 years old and probably at the peak of his career‚ Joseph “Tight” Molangoane is proving to be the linchpin in this tepid Kaizer Chiefs side – and the numbers are there to prove it.

While Amakhosi have been uncharacteristically unenthusiastic under head coach Steve Komphela‚ finishing a second season in a row without lifting any silverware‚ they have been somewhat convincing when Molangoane has pulled the strings out on the wings.

The former Orlando Pirates star has played a staggering 20 matches in all competitions for Chiefs‚ scoring three goals and providing three assists‚ since joining Amakhosi on a two-and-half-year deal from Chippa United on December 2 last year.

  • Khune begs for Komphela to stay onSteve Komphela is a "very very good" coach who deserves another chance to prove his worth at Kaizer Chiefs, despite two seasons without a trophy, says goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune ahead of the last round of Absa Premeirship matches tomorrow. 

Since making his debut off the bench in a 3-1 defeat at home to Chippa a day after his signing was announced‚ Chiefs have lost just four matches out of the 20 in all Molangoane has played in.

Reflecting on his first six months at Naturena‚ the soft-spoken Alexandra-born attacking midfielder played down his role despite his encouraging statistics.

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“To be honest it’s been great being here at Kaizer Chiefs but the problem is that we were just unlucky‚” Molangoane said ahead of Chiefs’ last match of the season at home to newly-crowned Premier Soccer League champions Bidvest Wits at FNB Stadium on Saturday.

Asked about Chiefs’ record when he is in the team‚ Molangoane said: “I think it all boils down to hard work and how the team support each other.”

  • Komphela deserves another chance at Chiefs‚ says KhuneSteve Komphela is a “very very good” coach who deserves another chance to prove his worth at Kaizer Chiefs despite two trophy-less campaigns‚ says goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune ahead of the last round of Absa Premeirship matches on Saturday. 

Chiefs had an improved second half of the 2016-17 PSL season‚ at one stage going on a 12-match unbeaten streak with Molangoane one of the few standout performers in that run.

Komphela’s charges were in the running for the title until they failed to win in five of their last six fixtures of the season‚ losing to Cape Town City‚ Polokwane City‚ Platinum Stars and drawing against SuperSport United and Golden Arrows.

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In fairness‚ Amakhosi have dominated most of their opponents only for lapses of concentration at the back in the dying minutes of matches to derail their campaign.

“I think some games we played well but we were simply unlucky and there are other games where we’ve just made silly mistakes.

  • Chiefs misery continues after 2-0 defeat away at Platinum Stars As their feeble season continued, Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela increasingly wore the look of a medical practitioner with a diagnosis but in short supply of medicine. 

“We conceded goals that we shouldn’t have‚ we missed opportunities we should have converted. Luck was not on our side mostly‚” said Molangoane.

“Obviously it’s not a nice feeling for us as players and the team not to have something to show for in our cabinet.”

- TMG Digital/TMG Sport

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