Flames midfielder Robert Ng’ambi on Saturday inspired his South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) side Platinum Stars to go top of the table after beating SuperSport United
Ng’ambi claimed the third goal for Dikwena in the 75th minute. Sibusiso Msomi and Bongi Ntuli scored the other goals for Stars while Jeremy Brockie netted for Matsatsantsa at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria.
Stars, with 14 points from six matches, edged a point ahead of Gerald Phiri Jnr’s Bidvest Wits, who drew 0-0 with Free State Stars in another fixture at Goble Park. However, Phiri did not feature as he is still awaiting a permanent residence permit.
It was Ng’ambi’s second goal of the season and he is now just two goals shy of the leading scorer—Ajax Cape Town’s Nathan Paulse.
He is the only Malawian to have scored in the PSL so far this season.
Flames coach Ernest Mtawali, who left Ng’ambi on the bench during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations’ qualifier against Swaziland in Mbabane, yesterday hailed Ng’ambi’s good run of form.
“As I said, I have always been a great admirer of Robert. In fact, he is one of the most consistent performers in the PSL.
“However, I hope he can be able to transfer his club form and commitment to the national team. Otherwise, he remains one of the best Malawian football exports,” said Mtawali.
The Flames mentor also reiterated that despite Ng’ambi’s impressive form, he had no regrets for putting him on the bench in Swaziland.
“He remains one of the key players and a role model to the up-and-coming players, but as I said, no one is guaranteed a place in the starting line up.
“A player can be put on the bench due to different factors such as game plan, attitude and form and putting him on the bench did not mean that he is a bad player,” said Mtawali.
Ng’ambi told the Daily Times after the Swaziland match that he was disappointed with the coach for putting him on the bench, saying he could have done better than those that were thrown into service.
However, in his report about the game to the Football Association of Malawi (FAM), Mtawali stated that Ng’ambi refused to be introduced as a substitute for Yamikani Chester. The match ended in a two-all draw.
