Themba Ndlovu scores his first PSL goal – it’s a moment that Varsity Football has to be proud of.
Any parent is allowed to brag about their children every now and then when they are doing good things. Don’t blame a parent for telling anybody who cares to listen, about the greatness of their children. There is nothing wrong with that: it’s the kind of society that we continue to live in these days. Well, the same thing can apply to Varsity Football’s development programme. Remember TUT talisman and captain fantastic Themba Ndlovu, a joint top scorer in the tournament last year? Of course, you do.
If you didn’t know about the young man’s goal scoring prowess in South African football, now you do after what he did for Premier Soccer League outfit Black Leopards FC last week. Before we get into what the young lad did, let me remind you of who he is and what he is about.
Ndlovu is a 25-year-old late bloomer from Mpumalanga. Why do we call him a late bloomer?
Normally players are supposed to be discovered in their teenage years, but because of Mzansi’s unimpressive development structure, they are discovered late. Ndlovu is a product of Varsity Football initiative last year. He represented TUT and helped them to reach the final where they lost 2-0 to bitter Tshwane rivals UP-Tuks.
His exploits in the development programme caught the attention of National First Division outfit Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila. He was a sensation in Tshakhuma’s debut season scoring eight goals in the NFD. Leopards didn’t waste time as they signed him up for their return to the PSL. He is already off the mark in his debut PSL season with Leopards.
Ndlovu came on as a late substitute against newly promoted Highlands Park in a league game at the famous Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa on Women’s day. The modest striker was introduced in the game when his team were 2-0 down with 90 minutes plus five additional time on the clock. Ndlovu scored with his first touch and played a big role in the goal that rescued the game to force a 2-2 draw.
? Did you see that? Last year’s #VarsityFootball star Themba Ndlovu helped his side to a 2-2 draw with this, his first goal in the PSL! #Iyachesa pic.twitter.com/Ttm8W6aL3h
— Varsity Sports (@varsitysportsSA) August 15, 2018
It was the young fellow’s introduction that sparked an amazing comeback of the season.
Leopards is the first team to have comeback from two goals down this season. The Limpopo based outfit have the Mpumalanga born footballer to thank for preserving their unbeaten start to the top flight division.
His former coach at TUT Bushy Moloi said Ndlovu is a special player and that he deserves to play in the big league.
Moloi added: “He is a clever player and he makes great runs. I have seen enough during my time with him at TUT to believe that he will be a big hit in the PSL this season. He does not need too much coaching, he is a natural.”
The boy reminds us of Thabo Mnyamane, who was also discovered by AmaTuks when he was playing for NWU Mafikeng couple of years ago. Mnyamane went on to shine for SuperSport United winning lot of trophies including scoring a goal for Bafana Bafana the senior national team.
Ndlovu had a brief stint at NFD club at Witbank Spurs and things didn’t work out but it is at Leopards where he seems to be going places.
By Charles Baloyi – Daily Sun and Sunday Sun Sports writer
