Former Orlando Pirates winger Sifiso Myeni and ex-Kaizer Chiefs wide man Thuso Phala have offered opposing views on Glody Lilepo’s spectacular goal against Marumo Gallants, debating whether the effort was meant as a cross or a shot, and whether it even matters.
More than a week after the strike sealed a 1-0 Betway Premiership victory for Kaizer Chiefs at the Dr Molemela Stadium, the goal continues to dominate conversations and will re-emerge come the January monthly award announcements.
Speaking on the Omniaudioafrica podcast, Myeni suggested that the Kaizer Chiefs winger intended to cross the ball rather than score.
“He was intending to cross that ball,” Myeni said. “They say he was shooting, but was he? Wasn’t he crossing that ball?”
But former Kaizer Chiefs winger Thuso Phala offered a different perspective, arguing that intention matters less for players operating out wide.
THUSO PHALA: A WINGER’S JOB IS TO PUT THE BALL IN THE BOX FOR GOALS
“When you play as a winger, your job is to beat the defender, head down, and whip in the cross,” Phala said. “If the ball hits the defender and goes in or hits the top corner, as a winger, my job is done. I went past the defender and put it in the box.
“What was my intention? My intention was to put the ball in the box, that is where we want goals. He did what was required of wingers. You go past a defender and put the ball with power in the box.
“Whether it goes in, hits someone, gets saved or ricochets, it does not matter. You have done your job. He did his job as a winger, and it went in. Credit to him. Goal of the Season.”
Phala continued by explaining why he felt the technique mattered more than the decision.
“What are the intentions of wingers? It can be to cross or to score. The bottom line is putting the ball in the box, in the danger zone,” he said. “Lilepo did that. That is why he never looked up. He went past the defender and hit it with power, head down, with the perfect technique and hit the top corner.”
Myeni maintained his stance, saying the reaction to the goal supported his view. “His intention was to cross, but he ended up scoring,” Myeni added. “He was crossing for a teammate, not to score himself. When the ball went into the net, he was surprised.”
Phala concluded by admitting there was a degree of fortune involved, but still felt the goal stood out as one of the best of the season.
RELATED STORY: Cedric Kaze reacts to Glody Lilepo’s wonder strike against Gallants