Ng’ambi again! Reporter faults Flames coaches’ fielding

Flames midfielder Robert Ng’ambi pushed himself into an early South Africa player of the year contender on Sunday when he collected his third Man-of-the-match Award in three different competitions this season.

Ng’ambi, who was runner-up to the South Africa best award last season, scored alongside Henrico Botes in 2-0 beating of Maritzburg United, then picked his prize of R2 995 (K119 800) after this Telkom Knockout last 16 game.

“Stars doubled their lead in the 60th minute. The Dikwena [Platinum Stars] forwards bamboozled the United defence with inter-changing passes between them which resulted in Ng’ambi arriving late into the box and placing the ball into the back of the net from about 12-yards out,” reported www.supersport.com.

Recently, the Malawian international also clinched the MTN8 semi-final and Absa Premiership Man-of-the-match awards in addition to being highest South Africa scoring midfielder with five goals on all fronts. Such awards determine Player of the Year Award winners.

No other player in South Africa has achieved that feat so far, confirmed yesterday Soccer Laduma football magazine reporter Benjamin Nyirenda. The journalist faulted Flames coaches for restricting him in midfield instead of granting him the licence to roam the pitch as is the case at Stars.

In its comment last week, leading South Africa newspaper Sowetan credited Ng’ambi with the Stars’ MTN8 glory.

“Although they needed penalties to claim the trophy, and the R8-million cheque that accompanied it, Ng’ambi’s goal was the first moment Dikwena [Platinum Stars] realised they could cause an upset. He has already got five goals in all competitions this season and looks set to surpass the seven he netted in the league last term,” reported www.sowetan.co.za.

Speaking to Sowetan, Ng’ambi shared the credit with his team mates, adding: “They give me good crosses and my job is to complement them with my finishing. When we go wide, I know there will be a certain kind of cross that will come into the box, so I make those blind runs so I can score.”

In another Telkom Knockout games, Flames defender Limbikani Mzava scored an own goal as his Bloemfontein Celtic lost 4-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns at the Botshabelo Stadium on Sunday.