Thidiela believes Malawian midfielder can emulate Robert Nga’mbi

Black Leopards chairperson David Thidiela believes Malawian midfielder Rafick Namwera can become the team’s influential player like his compatriot Robert Nga’mbi.

Thidiela spoke to FARPost about Namwera as Leopards got the new season underway on Saturday. They lost 1-0 to Hungry Lions in their opening game on Saturday.

“He is such a good player. When I see him, I see another Ng’ambi in him. He is cool, calm and collected on the ball, playing with both feet. I am sure he will establish himself in the squad as Ng’ambi did,” Thidiela told FARPost.

The Leopards boss said with players such as Namwera. His team can bounce back to the DStv Premiership this season.

“This season, we are going back to the PSL,” he said.

Namwera told FARPost that management had made it clear that the ultimate goal for the club was earning promotion.

The 29-year-old joined Leopards quietly towards the end of last season and played in the last 10 games of the Motsepe Foundation Championship.

The attacking midfielder ensured Leopards’ survival from relegation with a string of man-of-the-match performances.

Ironically, the Malawian international signed for the Limpopo-based team a season after Ng’ambi called it time on his illustrious career.

Nga’mbi was one of the best signings for Leopards and established himself as the captain.

He led the way for the likes of Namwera to emulate.

Namwera was part of the Flames squad that qualified for the delayed 2021 AFCON finals held in Cameroon between January and February.

He has been capped 16 times with the Flames.

The soft-spoken player started his career at Wizards FC in Blantyre before signing for giant side Mighty Mukuru Wanderers seven seasons ago.

The Flames midfielder is the latest Malawian to don the black and gold of Leopards after the likes of Ng’ambi, Peter Mponda, Allan Kamanga, Grant Lungu and Fischer Kondowe.