“I got inspired by watching the likes of Christiano Ronaldo, Messi, Robben and Ribery,” says midfielder Mandla Masango after having received the awards for Kaizer Chiefs Most Improved Player of the Season, Top Goal Scorer of the Season and Player of the Month (August). “They are all wingers, who score goals.”

Last season, Masango only started in one league game and came on three times as a sub, never scoring a goal. Although the 25-year-old did score once in a Nedbank Cup match and a CAF Champions League clash.

The 2014/2015 season, however, was different. He started in 19 Absa Premiership encounters, coming on nine times as a sub and scoring seven goals. “Masango furthermore scored twice in the first round game of the MTN8 against Mpumalanga Black Aces.”

He was also nominated for the Goal of the Season, although the award eventually went to Reneilwe Letsholonyane for his brilliant finish from long range against Platinum Stars.

“I am grateful that the hard work put in finally bore fruit,” the midfielder reflects on an outstanding season. “I never gave up, despite not getting much game time. I put in extra work at training, often staying behind to focus on, for example, finishing, crossing and endurance.”

Masango’s change of fortune already began during Chiefs’ pre-season camp in Port Elizabeth: “We played a friendly. Katlego Mphela got injured and I replaced him. I netted once and created another via an assist. That’s when it all started to click.”