A CAF debut goal, a big impression in Cairo

Mugove Chigada

STANELY NGALA’s performance against Al Ahly has won him admiration in Cairo and indications are the Egyptians giant will be monitoring his progress.

The FC Platinum new signing, who scored on his debut CAF Champions league match, a 1-1 draw, joined FC Platinum after making a big impression at Manica Diamonds.

And his stint at FC Platinum could now be short-lived if indications on the ground are anything to go by.

“Al Ahly had done their homework ahead of that match and they were aware that about six players had left FC Platinum, with about three of them being key in the team.

“But then it was not expected one of the new players could be in the team and cause problems. The Egyptian media was impressed and so was the club. They will keep tabs on him to see how he progresses and there could be other Egyptian clubs that will take interest in a player that breached the defence of their rivals,” an Egyptian journalist told ZTN on Monday.

Ngala has hardly settled at the Zimbabwe champions.

“Personally as it was my debut it was a difficult match in the first minutes. I was losing a lot of balls because I couldn’t believe it was me playing against Al Ahly but then I started to remember Lizwe Sweswe’s words,” said Ngala.

“He (Sweswe) was saying to me that football is the same just go out there and enjoy yourself. That’s when I picked myself up and it was also difficult because those guys are very strong in the air and on the ground, so I couldn’t take them off the ball easily.”

In recent seasons Caps United players attracted the interest of Egyptian teams after they defeated another Egyptian giant, Zamalek.

It could be the fate for Ngala. Yet the striker is not yet dreaming of another move.

“My targets for 2020 are to help FC Platinum defend the league title. And to make an impression in the CAF Champions League and also as a striker, to win the golden boot in the PSL and get a chance to be selected into the national team,” Ngala said.

Joining FC Platinum was a big break. It has been a different two months for the former Bulawayo Chiefs striker, having worked with three different head coaches – one at Manica Diamonds and two at FC Platinum.

“One coach or three coaches it remains the same at the end because each coach would want the best out of me. And it has helped a lot because each coach has different demands,” he said.