Getting into the mind of defender, Given Msimango. Could he be the leader Kaizer Chiefs needs?
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The story
It's been a difficult debut season for Sphiwe Given Msimango at the Glamour Boys, after he made his dream move from TS Galaxy before the start of the 2023/24 campaign.
Msimango and Chiefs face the relegated Cape Town Spurs on the final day of the league season on Saturday, and will be contesting the final top 8 spot with AmaZulu, Polokwane City, Golden Arrows and Chippa United.
Chiefs will qualify with a win in their final game against the Urban Warriors, ninth-placed AmaZulu could snatch eighth place with a win against Golden Arrows should Chiefs fail to win.
Amakhosi have conceded 28 goals this season but have kept 12 clean sheets, a somewhat perfect illustration of how inconsistent they've been this campaign under Molefi Ntseki and Cavin Johnson.
Msimango has been one of Amakhosi's more solid performers at the back — but will be the first to admit that there's plenty of room for him to grow in a Chiefs shirt.
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Speaking to one of Chiefs' more prominent sponsors, Vodacom, Msimango stated how it's a dream come true for him to represent the Soweto Giants.
"It's a dream come true for me. I still feel like I'm dreaming to be honest, but I'm enjoying every moment. I'm enjoying the experience, I'm enjoying everything that comes with playing for Kaizer Chiefs. So, it's about growth, it's about learning, but most importantly it's about me living my dream," said the former TS Galaxy captain.
The baller also revealed some light-hearted facts such as his ideal pre-match food, which is Spaghetti Bolognaise, and didn't hesitate when naming Samkelo Zwane as the player that eats the most.
He shares a comedic bond with striker Ranga Chivaviro and enjoys rooming with Christian Saile Basomboli on the club's travels.
Msimango could considered as a late bloomer by some, revealing that he started playing football properly at around ages 9 and 10, and it was during his tertiary studies at the University of Johannesburg, where he realised that he can make it as a professional footballer.
"In my mind, I knew that football was a well-paying sport, but I used it as a tool to further my education. Up until I was offered a contract and I saw how much I was going to make, having never been in a professional set-up before, that's where my mind kind-of switched to be like: 'You know what? Let's put in 100% effort' and yeah, look at me now," explained the Chiefs star.
The 27-year-old has captained Amakhosi on four separate occasions this season, will look to get some rest in the off-season this winter (his favourite season) and hope for better fortunes in the 2024/25 campaign under a new head coach.
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