07 Jul 2015

Township Rollers supporters loved Manqoba ‘Shakes’ Ngwenya and in the little game time he was given, he ensured he made a good impact, his opponents feared him because of his dribbling skills and good possession of the ball.


The legendary Ngwenya has opened up to BOPA following his release by Township Rollers at the end of the season.


Ngwenya who finished with 12 goals in the league despite being a bit part player for Rollers was disappointed at the manner he was treated by his former club.

He said he did not come to terms with Rollers, because they did not put an offer for him on the table. 


“First they approached me telling me they cannot afford my demand and I decided to bend and reduced, then they promised to come back to me which they never did, and it was clear that they didn’t need my services” he said.


The former Mamelodi Sundowns player further said he played for Rollers with all his heart, despite the challenges and difficulties he encountered at the club, adding that he was never given enough time to play, something which he said puzzled him.


Furthermore, he said he ensured that the five or 10 minutes he was given he scored goals, adding that at the back of his mind he knew he was now fighting with people who were could be giving him support.


The more he scored, he said the more he was reduced to a bench warmer, he said he was happy with the support he was given by the Township Rollers twelfth player because they always put pressure on the bench for him to be introduced, therefore he will always be grateful and miss them.


“I was not given a fair chance and instead of using my expertise given that I came from the professional league to give knowledge to the youngsters, that did not happen, instead I was reduced to the bench” he said.


Ngwenya who was only three goals away, to be at par with the top goal scorer, Lemponye Tshireletso who finished with 15 goals, believed that if he was given chance he could have clinched the golden boot award.


He said when he was recruited to Township Rollers his intension was to market the team, adding that his aim was to play entertaining football so that more supporters could come in large number.


According to him he was very frustrated to watch on the bench Rollers losing both the league title and Mascom Top 8 trophy if things were done correctly. 


“To be honest I did my part, remember I was in the front page of Soccer Laduma wearing Township Rollers jersey and I am talking about a paper which is read by millions of people, to me that alone was a good marketing tool, but what did I get in return, Rollers did not value me”, he said.


He however a couple of teams in South Africa are interested in his service, adding that he will miss Botswana football said he was not bitter and wished he former team well in future
Ngwenya played for South African teams and in 2000-2003 he played for Wits University before moving to Mamelodi Sundowns in 2003 until 2011, he then joined Mpumalanga Black Aces in 2011 before joining Notwane Football Club where he played for three months before joining Township Rollers.


However Township Rollers chairperson Walter Kgabung said at the end of the season, Ngwenya went home and came back for negotiations, adding they indeed met him.


He however said the offer that was put on the table seem not be enough, because his wife needed something’s to be included in the offer, and therefore Rollers management took a resolution that they cannot afford him.


Kgabung said they valued, Ngwenya’s input at the club, and it will be wrong to say he did not help the club, adding that it was just unfortunate because they did not meet his demand. Ends