Retired midfielder Njabulo Manqana has explained how his spectacular goal in the MTN8 final over a decade ago changed his life.
From being a provincial player to a massive brand that has attracted big companies, Manqana, now the MTN8 ambassador, was part of the Golden Arrows side that clinched the top eight competition back in 2009.
Arrows hammered Ajax Cape Town, renamed Cape Town Spurs, 6-0 at Orlando Stadium.
Manqana played a crucial role in the final as he netted two goals, the opener and the sixth goal, which is still on everybody’s lips 13 years later.
The goal is rated as one of the greatest in the MTN8. Manqana snaked past the Ajax defender and spun the ball into the net from a very tight angle.
The Ntuzuma-born former star strongly believes that he is still relevant in the South African football scenes because of that stellar goal.
MANQANA COMMENTS ON GOAL
“That goal changed my life; I did not know that after more than ten years, I would still be relevant,” Manqana told FARPost.
Manqana stated that the famous MTN8 final strike opened doors for him to join Orlando Pirates and even become the MTN8 ambassador.
“It [goal] opened a lot of doors for me,” he said. “I have attracted so many businesses through that goal.
“I am now an ambassador of MTN8 because of that moment. Some think it was a fluke, but nope, I planned everything.
“I moved to Orlando Pirates and became bigger in terms of brand wise. And again, I do not think I would be here if I did not score that goal,” added the former Arrows star.
Manqana continued: “Many players have won the trophy, but none have gotten such opportunities to be this relevant for more than ten years; it is not a joke.”
And with his two former sides AmaZulu and Pirates, locking horns in the MTN8 final on Saturday evening at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, Manqana is optimistic that his home side Usuthu will end the trophy drought in the KwaZulu-Natal province.
