Ng’ambi steers Stars to MTN8 glory

Flames midfielder Robert Ng’ambi continues to shine on the big stage and on Saturday he did to perfection when he inspired his South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) club Platinum Stars to win the MTN8 Cup.

Ng’ambi’s Stars  emerged 3-1 victors in the dreaded penalty shoot-out after the pulsating contest in regulation and extra time, failed to produce the winner as the match ended 1-1 at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Ironically, it was the Flames midfield kingpin who scored Stars’ goal in the early stages of the first half, but it was cancelled by Pirates’ Thabo Matlaba with only five minutes to full time.

Speaking in a telephone interview from South Africa yesterday, Ng’ambi was as usual a model of modesty and played down suggestions that he was the centre-piece of Stars success.

“Of course, I am very excited that my goal helped us win the cup, it is a very special feeling. But everyone was instrumental in the triumph and, therefore, all of us deserve equal credit for the role we played.

“If you watched the game, you will agree with me that it was very tough, end-to-end stuff, but we held our nerve to win it in penalties,” said Ng’ambi.

He also hailed the support that he has received from the fans here at home and in South Africa.

“A lot of people from home have been a source of inspiration and they have been very supportive and I do not take it for granted. I will not sit on my laurels, but work even harder,” said Ng’ambi.

He is expected to get a fortune from the prize money as the players have been promised R4 million [about K152 million] from the prize money.

Ng’ambi was also short-listed for the player-of-the-season award last season.