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Mandla Masango

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South African Football player

Mandla Masango
Personal information
Full name Mandla Grateful Masango
Date of birth (1989-07-18) 18 July 1989 (age 35)
Place of birth Kwaggafontein, South Africa
Height 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Position(s) Right winger
Youth career
Mega Force
HP Silver Stars
Walter Stars
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2015 Kaizer Chiefs 105 (11)
2015–2018 Randers FC 29 (7)
2017 → SuperSport United (loan) 13 (3)
International career
2006 South Africa U-17 3 (2)
2009 South Africa U-20 4 (1)
2011 South Africa U-23 3 (3)
2013– South Africa 13 (3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18 June 2016
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 27 January 2015

Mandla Greatful Masango (born July 18, 1989) is a South African footballer who most recently played as a right winger for Randers in Denmark. Masango represented South Africa at various youth levels and has been a full international since making his senior debut in 2013.

Club career

Kaizer Chiefs

Masango joined Kaizer Chiefs in 2007 ahead of the 2007–08 Premier Soccer League season. He made his debut against Thanda Royal Zulu on 15 August 2007, scoring the Chiefs' first goal in a 2–0 win. He has gradually become a regular in the club's first team, making ten league appearances in 2009–10, before playing 20 league games in 2010–11. He has played twice so far in the 2011–12 season. Masango also scored for Kaiser Chiefs in their 2–0 win over Mpumalanga Black Aces on 24 February 2010, again opening the scoring. In the 2012–13 season where Chiefs won a league and cup double, Masango played only nine league games. In 2013–14, he made his CAF Champions League debut against Black Africa and scored a scissor kick from a Knowledge Musona cross in the 3-0 win. He also came off the bench in the Nedbank Cup Last 16 match and scored a diving header against ABC Motsepe League side FC Buffalo. At the end of the season, he attracted interest from Sweden Superettan club, Landskrona BoIS which already had a South African in their team with Bradley Ralani. He also received an offer from Mpumalanga Black Aces but the deal was put on ice after they found out about his high salary. He was also on the verge of being loaned to Ajax Cape Town or Moroka Swallows. Masango started off the 2014–15 season with a brace in a 4-0 win over Mpumalanga Black Aces in the MTN8. He scored his first league goal of 2014–15 in a 2–1 win over Mpumalanga Black Aces on 13 August 2013. He also scored a solitary goal against Bloemfontein Celtic in the 81st minute on 19 August 2014. On 11 September 2014, Masango and Stuart Baxter were named ABSA Premiership Player and Coach of the Month. After being rested against University of Pretoria, he played in the 1–0 win over Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 2014 Final. Masango scored a solitary penalty goal in the 45th minute against Maritzburg United on 27 September 2014. Masango eventually attracted the interest of Ligue 1 club Rennes which hoped to sign him in January or the end of 2014–15 shouldn't his contract be extended. The club planned to send a representative for the then upcoming Soweto derby but was postponed as it was on the day of the funeral of the late South African national team captain Senzo Meyiwa. The club later revealed that Rennes would send a scout to watch him at the 2015 African Cup of Nations. On his last Chiefs match, Masango scored a header on 9 May 2015 in a 2–0 win over Chippa United. Masango attracted the likes of Rennes, Anorthorsis Famagusta and Hapoel Tel Aviv.

Randers

On 13 August 2015 it was announced that Masango had reach an agreement with Randers on a free transfer. On 30 August 2015, Masango made his debut in a 2–0 win over AaB where he scored the second goal in the 82nd minute.

Style of play

Masango is of lean and diminutive build. Muhsin Ertugral who signed Masango in 2007 compared him to maverick genius Jabu Pule who he said had ability to read and change the game, and create spaces as well as bravely take on defenders. Masango plays as a right winger, secondary striker and also as an attacking midfielder. Masango was also described as Le James Noir. FifaPlayerRatings.com suggests that Masango would excel more as a forward for his "better finishing ability than most midfielders" and "above average balance" and ranks him in the top 20% of attacking players in FIFA 15 and the 270th best Right Midfielder in the game.

Personal life

Masango has a diploma in General Management and is currently studying project management at Boston City Campus.

International career

International goals

Scores and results list South Africa's goal tally first.
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 20 July 2013 Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, Ndola  Lesotho 1–1 2–1 Friendly
2. 27 January 2015 Estadio de Mongomo, Mongomo  Ghana 1–0 1–2 2015 Africa Cup of Nations
3. 25 March 2015 Somhlolo National Stadium, Lobamba  Swaziland 3–1 3–1 Friendly
4. 5 July 2015 Stade Anjalay, Belle Vue Maurel  Mauritius 1–0 2–0 2016 African Nations Championship qualification

U-17 and U-20

Masango has the unusual distinction of having scored on his debut for every national side he has represented. He made three appearances, scoring twice, for South Africa U-17 before moving on to the U-20 team, where he played four times, three of these games coming at the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Masango scored a consolation in the 6–1 defeat to Germany U-20 on 5 September 2009, in a World Cup warm-up match.

U-20 appearances and goals

# Date Venue Opponent Result Competition Goals
1 5 September 2009 Sportpark Husterhöhe, Pirmasens Germany U-20 L 6–1 Friendly 1
2 27 September 2009 Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria United Arab Emirates U-20 D 2–2 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup
3 30 September 2009 Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria Hungary U-20 L 4–0 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup
4 6 October 2009 Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia Ghana U-20 L 2–1 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup

U-23

Masango played for the U-23 team, scoring on his debut in the 2–1 win over Zimbabwe to ensure South Africa's qualification for the All Africa Games. The midfielder also scored against Mauritius on 26 May 2011 in a 1–0 friendly win, and against Botswana in a 5–0 victory on 18 March 2011.

He made his senior debut on 17 July 2013 on the eve of his birthday against Lesotho and was unfortunate having not scored on debut like he did for the junior national teams. He scored in his second match in the 2013 COSAFA Cup 3rd and 4th place playoff on 20 July 2013 against Lesotho. South Africa won 2-1 finishing third with a bronze medal. Masango earned a call-up after his good form for AFCON qualifiers against Nigeria and Sudan. He claimed that his call up was "destiny" and that Sudan was his lucky charm. Masango's first call-up in international football came nine years ago against Sudan when he represented the South Africa Under-17 team in a 2005 Under-17 Youth Championship qualifier. The game was played at the same Al-Merrikh Stadium where South Africa played their 2015 African Nations Cup Group A opener against the Sudan. He played in the 3–0 win over Sudan and 0–0 draw over Nigeria. Masango scored a stunning goal referred to as a "stepback volley" against Ghana in the 2015 African Cup of Nations Group C final clash and made rounds in Spain and has been compared to Colombia's James Rodriguez famous volley in the 2-0 victory over Uruguay in last in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Bleacher Report described the goal as "ridiculous, outrageous and impossibly perfect".

References

  1. "FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009™: List of Players: South Africa" (PDF). FIFA. 6 October 2009. p. 16. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 October 2009. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  2. Masango forlader Randers FC‚ bold.dk, 31 January 2017
  3. "Soccerway – Mandla Masango". Soccerway. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  4. "Kaizer Chiefs vs. Mpumalanga Black Aces 2–0". Soccerway. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  5. Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Mandla Masango". national-football-teams.com. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  6. realnet.co.uk. "Kaizer Chiefs beat Black Africa". Kick Off. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  7. "Nedbank Cup Post-match: Kaizer Chiefs V FC Buffalo". soccerladuma.co.za. 27 March 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  8. "Mandla Masango Attracted Attention From Landskrona". soccerladuma.co.za. 25 July 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  9. "Mandla Masango Could Remain With Chiefs In 2014/15..." soccerladuma.co.za. 16 July 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  10. "Mandla Masango Earns Player Of The Month Award". soccerladuma.co.za. 11 September 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  11. "MTN8 Quarter-final Report: Kaizer Chiefs 4–0 MP Black Aces". soccerladuma.co.za. 3 August 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  12. "Absa Premiership Report: Kaizer Chiefs – Mpumalanga Black Aces". soccerladuma.co.za. 13 August 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  13. "Absa Premiership Match Report: Kaizer Chiefs 1–0 Bloemfontein Celtic 19 August 2014". soccerladuma.co.za. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  14. "Mandla Masango Earns Player Of The Month Award". soccerladuma.co.za. 11 September 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  15. "Absa Premiership Report: Kaizer Chiefs 1–0 Maritzburg United 27 September 2014". soccerladuma.co.za. 28 September 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  16. "The Story Behind Siyagobhoza". soccerladuma.co.za. 26 November 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  17. "Mandla Masango Is Being Watched By Rennes". soccerladuma.co.za. 29 November 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  18. realnet.co.uk. "Chippa United Kaizer Chiefs PSL report". Kick Off. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  19. "South African Players Abroad". soccerladuma.co.za. 30 August 2015. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  20. "Muhsin Ertugral thinks Mandla Masango is like Jabu Pule". www.soccerladuma.co.za. 30 August 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  21. Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Mandla Masango". www.national-football-teams.com. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  22. "vine la volee de masango". sofoot.com. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  23. "Mandla Masango — Fifa ratings". fifaplayerratings.pointafter.com. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  24. "Mandla Masango Is Studying Project Management". www.soccerladuma.co.za. 2 October 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  25. "Upbeat Masango focused on Maritzburg challenge". Kaizer Chiefs F.C. Archived from the original on 25 March 2012. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  26. "SA U-23 depart for Benin". South Africa Football Association. 31 May 2011. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  27. "Masango on target for SA U23". Kaizer Chiefs F.C. 21 March 2011. Archived from the original on 25 March 2012. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  28. "Mandla Masango - Player Profile - Kick off". Archived from the original on 10 August 2014. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  29. "Bafana Finish Third". www.soccerladuma.co.za. 20 July 2013. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  30. www.realnet.co.uk. "Mandla Masango says his Bafana call-up is destiny". Kick Off. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  31. "Mashaba's First Starting Eleven". www.soccerladuma.co.za. 5 September 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  32. "Shakes Mashaba Names Starting XI For Nigeria Match". www.soccerladuma.co.za. 10 September 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  33. "Mandla Masango's Stunner Making Rounds In Spain". www.soccerladuma.co.za. 29 January 2015. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  34. Greely, John. "South Africa's Mandla Masango Scores Ridiculous Step-Back Volley vs. Ghana". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
South Africa squad – 2015 Africa Cup of Nations
South Africa
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