Ex-Chiefs goalie likens Bontle Molefe’s ordeal to Senzo Meyiwa’s at Pirates
In a surprising comparison, a former Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper has likened the current situation of Bontle Molefe at the club to the late Senzo Meyiwa’s time at Orlando Pirates.
The young shot-stopper Molefe has been warming the bench at Amakhosi since 2019 after graduating from the Diski Challenge at the tender age of 16
Seen as a future star, there were hopes he’d follow the path of legendary goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, who rose through the club’s ranks and made his senior debut at 20. Khune himself even hailed Molefe as a “great goalkeeper” ready for the PSL.
However, now 21, Chiefs’ fourth-choice Molefe has been itching to get between the sticks and prove his worth but hasn’t been given the nod to guard the goal for the first team. He’s patiently waiting for his chance to shine while training alongside experienced goalkeepers like Khune, Brandon Petersen, and Bruce Bvuma.
This situation mirrors the experience of the late Senzo Meyiwa, according to former Chiefs goalie William Shongwe. Meyiwa, like Molefe, waited patiently for his chance with Pirates before eventually making his mark.
“With goalkeepers, it is a very strange position; you need to have a different character altogether,” Shongwe told FARPost. “The level of patience that you have to exercise, waiting for your chance, you have to bide your time out there.”
Meyiwa was promoted to Pirates’ senior team in 2005 at the age of 21. He initially served as an understudy to Francis Chansa. However, Meyiwa played for the majority of the 2007/08 season, with Chansa seeing limited game time.
The following campaign, Meyiwa returned to the sidelines when Pirates signed Moneeb Josephs, who took over as the number one goalie. The Umlazi-born eventually reclaimed the starting berth from Josephs in 2012.
Former Keeper Compares Bontle Molefi’s Situation at Chiefs to Senzo Meyiwa’s at Pirates
“I have seen it [lack of playing time] with a lot of goalkeepers where they would get frustrated because they were not getting chances,” added Shongwe. “Bvuma, I had several chats with him when we met to say: ‘Hey, take your time, son. This is not like you are an infield player; you are very special, so when you do get your chance, grab it with both hands’.
“I mean the late Senzo Meyiwa, may his soul rest in peace. He was in that very same situation as Bontle when Moeneeb Josephs was number one at Pirates; he had to bide his time on the sidelines, but when it opened up, Meyiwa got his opportunity, and he shined.
“It was the same situation with Rowen Fernández when Brian Baloyi was number one at Chiefs, and I have also had to talk to him [Fernández] on the side to say: ‘Hey, wait for your chance’, and eventually it opened up big time.
“Molefe is a young man, and unfortunately, he can’t just walk into the Chiefs squad, and the club is not doing well at the moment; they need to get good results and win trophies before they can consider that type of luxury, changes.”
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