It will be about who’s more hungry - Chamangwana
It will be about who’s more hungry - Chamangwana

Posted in News, Team News on Mar 03, 2017.

Jack ‘Black Stone’ Chamangwana played for Kaizer Chiefs from 1986 until 1989. The Malawian defender won several trophies with Amakhosi during that period, including the 1989 league championship when he was actually coaching the side.

He left South Africa in 1997, never seeing a Soweto Derby live again since. However, Chamangwana is presently visiting South Africa and will be an eager spectator at Saturday’s Soweto Derby.

“The magnitude of a Soweto Derby is immense,” Chamangwana comments, “for the team, for the passionate supporters of both teams. It’s the one game where you don’t need money or a coach to motivate you, because losing to Pirates is impossible. You rather drop points to Bidvest Wits or Mamelodi Sundowns, but to the Bucs… No, not possible. It’s a massive game for which everybody is ready to fight and win it.”

The strong tackling Malawian defender joined the Glamour Boys halfway through the 1986 season, making his debut in the quarter-final of the JPS Knockout Trophy on 1 June, beating Bush Bucks 3-1. Chiefs went on to win the cup. It turned out to be the first of numerous trophies Chamangwana won wearing the Gold and Black jersey.

‘Black Stone’ is presently the technical director at Be-Forward Wanderers in Malawai. The former defender came to visit the Village on Friday, being impressed by what he saw: “The accommodation is unbelievable, with all those beautiful training pitches and facilities, it’s world class.”

Chamangwana also met at the Village with a lot of his former teammates, including Sylvester Kole, William Shongwe, Fetsi ‘Chippa’ Molatedi, Gardner Seale, Doctor Khumalo, Abel Shongwe, Ace Khuse, Ntsie Maphike, Marks Maponyane, Mark Tovey, Absalom ‘Scara’ Thindwa and Wellington Manyathi.

The former Malawaian international will be coming to the Derby tomorrow and is looking forward to it. Chamangwana is back home still following every Chiefs match, watching it on the DSTV channel.

His current favourite Chiefs players are Itumeleng Khune, Erick Mathoho, Willard Katsande, Siphiwe Tshabalala, George Lebese, William Twala and Bernard Parker.

“Itu is an experienced goalkeeper, who is the most amazing distributor of the ball,” Chamangwana analyses. “He’s also a good leader. Mathoho is excellent with aerial balls and his decision-making is good as well. He matches well with Lorenzo Gordinho in defence. Katsande is strong and protects also well the two centre-backs behind him. Erick, Lorenzo and Willard from a great defensive triangle.

“Tshabalala is a fine ball player, who works hard and has great vision, being able to set his teammates free in front of goal with a simple through-ball. Lebese is Lebese… When he’s on song, he’s unstoppable, but he should be more consistent. Twala has excellent movement and has speed. However, he sometimes needs to look up more and give the pass a bit quicker. Parker scores goals, being a fine finisher.”

“I expect Chiefs to win,” Chamangwana comments, “as they are the team on song. On the other hand, a Derby is different from a normal game. Form doesn’t matter. It will be all about who is the more hungry team on Saturday.”

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