Chronicle Editor
Fungai Muderere, Senior Sports Reporter
FORMER Warriors youth international Nqobizitha Masuku has heaped praise on his ex-Highlanders and Jwaneng Galaxy teammate, Daniel Msendami whom he said made a wise move by joining newly promoted South Africa’s Premiership side Marumo Gallants.
It was a decision that shocked many, considering the club’s profile at a time when DRC Congo giants TP Mazembe and Simba SC of Tanzania were angling for the young Zimbabwean international’s signature.
Last season, Gallants were battling for honours in the Motsepe Foundation Championship. They failed to win the championship in SA’s second-tier league as they finished the 2023/24 season in 11th place.
Late last month, they secured the Moroka Swallows franchise, taking over one of the iconic names of South African football, whose future is now unclear.
Gallants will now take Swallows’ place in the SA elite league after they came close to being relegated for a second successive season. Super Diski outfits SuperSport United and AmaZulu FC were also reportedly fly-fishing to acquire Msendami’s services.
“I think Msendami made a very bold and wise decision. He openly told me while we were in Botswana that while he has done well, he still needs to grow by playing for a team that will give him game time. He said at times it’s not all about being part of big clubs because a player’s profile needs to grow by having regular game time day in and day out,” said Masuku, who also had stints at Bantu Rovers, FC Platinum and a brief one in Zambia.
He added: “Msendami’s sentiments really struck me because look at TP Mazembe, they will always have gifted players that make about three to four solid teams. We have seen players from Zimbabwe finding it hard at Simba SC and even at high-profile South African clubs. I praise Msendami for his decision and I wish him well.”
Msendami and Masuku recently won their second league championship on the trot with Jwaneng Galaxy in Botswana. The Morena Ramoreboli coached Galaxy defended their title on the season’s final day, following a narrow 1-0 win over Orapa United.
Msendami, an upcoming Warriors winger, had an outstanding 2023/24 season in Botswana, featuring in 28 matches with 12 goals and 16 assists.
He was instrumental in Galaxy’s successful title defence.
In mid-June, the ginger-haired midfielder was voted Botswana Orange Cup FA Cup Best Player and walked away with P50 000.—@FungaiMuderere
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