{{short description|South African Football player (born 1989)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}} {{Use South African English|date=May 2019}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Mandla Masango | image = | image_size = | caption = | fullname = Mandla Grateful Masango<ref name="FIFA">{{cite web |title=FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009™: List of Players: South Africa |url=http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/01/10/28/62/fwyc_2009_squadlists.pdf |publisher=FIFA |page=16 |date=6 October 2009 |access-date=26 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091013164551/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/01/10/28/62/fwyc_2009_squadlists.pdf |archive-date=13 October 2009 }}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|07|18|df=y}} | birth_place = Kwaggafontein, South Africa | height = {{height|ft=5|in=6}} | position = Right winger | currentclub = | clubnumber = | youthyears1 = | youthyears2 = | youthyears3 = | youthclubs1 = Mega Force | youthclubs2 = HP Silver Stars | youthclubs3 = Walter Stars | years1 = 2007–2015 | clubs1 = Kaizer Chiefs | caps1 = 105 | goals1 = 11 | years2 = 2015–2018 | clubs2 = Randers FC | caps2 = 29 | goals2 = 7 | years3 = 2017 | clubs3 = → SuperSport United (loan) | caps3 = 13 | goals3 = 3 | nationalyears1 = 2006 | nationalteam1 = South Africa U-17 | nationalcaps1 = 3 | nationalgoals1 = 2 | nationalyears2 = 2009 | nationalteam2 = South Africa U-20 | nationalcaps2 = 4 | nationalgoals2 = 1 | nationalyears3 = 2011 | nationalteam3 = South Africa U-23 | nationalcaps3 = 3 | nationalgoals3 = 3 | nationalyears4 = 2013– | nationalteam4 = South Africa | nationalcaps4 = 13 | nationalgoals4 = 4 | club-update = 18 June 2016 | nationalteam-update = 5 July 2015 }} '''Mandla {{Proper name|Greatful}} Masango''' (born July 18, 1989) is a South African footballer who most recently played as a right winger for Randers in Denmark.<ref>[http://www.bold.dk/fodbold/nyheder/masango-forlader-randers-fc/ Masango forlader Randers FC]‚ bold.dk, 31 January 2017</ref> Masango represented South Africa at various youth levels and has been a full international since making his senior debut in 2013.
==Club career==
===Kaizer Chiefs=== Masango joined Kaizer Chiefs in 2007 ahead of the 2007–08 Premier Soccer League season. He made his debut against Thanda Royal Zulu on 15 August 2007, scoring the Chiefs' first goal in a 2–0 win. He has gradually become a regular in the club's first team, making ten league appearances in 2009–10, before playing 20 league games in 2010–11.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://int.soccerway.com/players/mandla-masango/62362/ | title = Soccerway – Mandla Masango | work = Soccerway | access-date = 10 September 2011}}</ref> He has played twice so far in the 2011–12 season. Masango also scored for Kaiser Chiefs in their 2–0 win over Mpumalanga Black Aces on 24 February 2010, again opening the scoring.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2010/02/24/south-africa/premier-soccer-league/kaizer-chiefs/mpumalanga-black-aces/796857/ | title = Kaizer Chiefs vs. Mpumalanga Black Aces 2–0 | work = Soccerway | accessdate = 10 September 2011}}</ref> In the 2012–13 season where Chiefs won a league and cup double, Masango played only nine league games.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/52993/Mandla_Masango.html|title=Mandla Masango|last=Strack-Zimmermann|first=Benjamin|website=national-football-teams.com|language=en|access-date=2018-06-02}}</ref> In 2013–14, he made his CAF Champions League debut against Black Africa and scored a scissor kick from a Knowledge Musona cross in the 3–0 win.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kickoff.com/mobile/news/41319/kaizer-chiefs-beat-black-africa|title=Kaizer Chiefs beat Black Africa|last=realnet.co.uk|website=Kick Off|language=en-gb|access-date=2018-06-02}}</ref> He also came off the bench in the Nedbank Cup Last 16 match and scored a diving header against ABC Motsepe League side FC Buffalo.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/leagues/nedbank-cup-0/nedbank-cup-post-match-kaizer-chiefs-v-fc-buffalo-2/157455|title=Nedbank Cup Post-match: Kaizer Chiefs V FC Buffalo|website=soccerladuma.co.za|date=27 March 2014|language=en|access-date=2018-06-02}}</ref> At the end of the season, he attracted interest from Sweden Superettan club, Landskrona BoIS which already had a South African in their team with Bradley Ralani.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/leagues/south-african-premier-soccer-league/mandla-masango-attracted-attention-from-landskrona/170584|title=Mandla Masango Attracted Attention From Landskrona|website=soccerladuma.co.za|date=25 July 2014|language=en|access-date=2018-06-02}}</ref> He also received an offer from Mpumalanga Black Aces but the deal was put on ice after they found out about his high salary.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/leagues/south-african-premier-soccer-league/mandla-masango-could-remain-with-chiefs-in-2014-15/169494|title=Mandla Masango Could Remain With Chiefs In 2014/15...|website=soccerladuma.co.za|date=16 July 2014|language=en|access-date=2018-06-02}}</ref> He was also on the verge of being loaned to Ajax Cape Town or Moroka Swallows.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/categories/south-africa/mandla-masango-earns-player-of-the-month-award/176471|title=Mandla Masango Earns Player Of The Month Award|website=soccerladuma.co.za|date=11 September 2014|language=en|access-date=2018-06-02}}</ref> Masango started off the 2014–15 season with a brace in a 4–0 win over Mpumalanga Black Aces in the MTN8.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/leagues/mtn8/mtn8-quarter-final-report-kaizer-chiefs-4-0-mp-black-aces/171670|title=MTN8 Quarter-final Report: Kaizer Chiefs 4–0 MP Black Aces|website=soccerladuma.co.za|date=3 August 2014|language=en|access-date=2018-06-02}}</ref> He scored his first league goal of 2014–15 in a 2–1 win over Mpumalanga Black Aces on 13 August 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/categories/south-africa/absa-premiership-report-kaizer-chiefs-mpumalanga-black-aces/173129|title=Absa Premiership Report: Kaizer Chiefs – Mpumalanga Black Aces|website=soccerladuma.co.za|date=13 August 2014|language=en|access-date=2018-06-02}}</ref> He also scored a solitary goal against Bloemfontein Celtic in the 81st minute on 19 August 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/categories/south-africa/absa-premiership-match-report-kaizer-chiefs-1-0-bloemfontein-celtic-19-august-2014/173983|title=Absa Premiership Match Report: Kaizer Chiefs 1–0 Bloemfontein Celtic 19 August 2014|website=soccerladuma.co.za|date=19 August 2014|language=en|access-date=2018-06-02}}</ref> On 11 September 2014, Masango and Stuart Baxter were named ABSA Premiership Player and Coach of the Month.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/categories/south-africa/mandla-masango-earns-player-of-the-month-award/176471|title=Mandla Masango Earns Player Of The Month Award|website=soccerladuma.co.za|date=11 September 2014|language=en|access-date=2018-06-02}}</ref> After being rested against University of Pretoria, he played in the 1–0 win over Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 2014 Final. Masango scored a solitary penalty goal in the 45th minute against Maritzburg United on 27 September 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/categories/south-africa/absa-premiership-report-kaizer-chiefs-1-0-maritzburg-united-27-september-2014/177956|title=Absa Premiership Report: Kaizer Chiefs 1–0 Maritzburg United 27 September 2014|website=soccerladuma.co.za|date=28 September 2014|language=en|access-date=2018-06-02}}</ref> Masango eventually attracted the interest of Ligue 1 club Rennes which hoped to sign him in January or the end of 2014–15 shouldn't his contract be extended.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/categories/multimedia-laduma-tv/the-story-behind-siyagobhoza-84/193761|title=The Story Behind Siyagobhoza|website=soccerladuma.co.za|date=26 November 2014|language=en|access-date=2018-06-02}}</ref> The club planned to send a representative for the then upcoming Soweto derby but was postponed as it was on the day of the funeral of the late South African national team captain Senzo Meyiwa. The club later revealed that Rennes would send a scout to watch him at the 2015 African Cup of Nations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/teams/kaizer-chiefs/mandla-masango-is-being-watched-by-rennes/193848|title=Mandla Masango Is Being Watched By Rennes|website=soccerladuma.co.za|date=29 November 2014|language=en|access-date=2018-06-02}}</ref> On his last Chiefs match, Masango scored a header on 9 May 2015 in a 2–0 win over Chippa United.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kickoff.com/mobile/news/55248/chippa-united-kaizer-chiefs-psl-report|title=Chippa United Kaizer Chiefs PSL report|last=realnet.co.uk|website=Kick Off|language=en-gb|access-date=2018-06-02}}</ref> Masango attracted the likes of Rennes, Anorthorsis Famagusta and Hapoel Tel Aviv.
===Randers=== On 13 August 2015 it was announced that Masango had reach an agreement with Randers on a free transfer. On 30 August 2015, Masango made his debut in a 2–0 win over AaB where he scored the second goal in the 82nd minute.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/categories/players-abroad/south-african-players-abroad-198/216731|title=South African Players Abroad|website=soccerladuma.co.za|date=30 August 2015|language=en|access-date=2018-06-02}}</ref>
==Style of play== Masango is of lean and diminutive build. Muhsin Ertugral who signed Masango in 2007 compared him to ''maverick genius'' Jabu Pule who he said had ''ability to read and change the game, and create spaces as well as bravely take on defenders''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/leagues/south-african-premier-soccer-league/muhsin-ertugral-thinks-mandla-masango-is-like-jabu-pule/174950|title=Muhsin Ertugral thinks Mandla Masango is like Jabu Pule.|website=www.soccerladuma.co.za|date=30 August 2014|language=en|access-date=2018-06-02}}</ref> Masango plays as a right winger, secondary striker and also as an attacking midfielder.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/52993/Mandla_Masango.html|title=Mandla Masango|last=Strack-Zimmermann|first=Benjamin|website=www.national-football-teams.com|language=en|access-date=2018-06-02}}</ref> Masango was also described as Le James Noir.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sofoot.com/vine-la-volee-de-masango-195325.html|title=vine la volee de masango|publisher=sofoot.com|accessdate=2020-03-05}}</ref> FifaPlayerRatings.com suggests that Masango would excel more as a forward for his "better finishing ability than most midfielders" and "above average balance" and ranks him in the top 20% of attacking players in FIFA 15 and the 270th best Right Midfielder in the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fifa-player-ratings.pointafter.com/l/4798/Mandla-Masango|title=Mandla Masango — Fifa ratings|publisher=fifaplayerratings.pointafter.com|accessdate=2020-03-05}}</ref>
==Personal life== Masango has a diploma in General Management and is currently studying project management at Boston City Campus.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/teams/kaizer-chiefs/mandla-masango-is-studying-project-management/178355|title=Mandla Masango Is Studying Project Management|website=www.soccerladuma.co.za|date=2 October 2014|language=en|access-date=2018-06-02}}</ref>
==International career==
===International goals=== :''Scores and results list South Africa's goal tally first.'' {| class="wikitable" |- ! # !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition |- | 1. || 20 July 2013 || Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, Ndola || {{fb|LES}} || '''1'''–1 || '''2'''–1 || Friendly |- | 2. || 27 January 2015 || Estadio de Mongomo, Mongomo || {{fb|GHA}} || '''1'''–0 || '''1'''–2 || 2015 Africa Cup of Nations |- | 3. || 25 March 2015 || Somhlolo National Stadium, Lobamba || {{fb|SWZ|name=Swaziland}} || '''3'''–1 || '''3'''–1 || Friendly |- | 4. || 5 July 2015 || Stade Anjalay, Belle Vue Maurel || {{fb|Mauritius}} || '''1'''–0 || '''2'''–0 || 2016 African Nations Championship qualification |}
===U-17 and U-20=== Masango has the unusual distinction of having scored on his debut for every national side he has represented.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://m.kaizerchiefs.com/?name=kaizerchiefs&artId=370136&i=4690&showonly=1 | title = Upbeat Masango focused on Maritzburg challenge | work = Kaizer Chiefs F.C | accessdate = 10 September 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120325163631/http://m.kaizerchiefs.com/?name=kaizerchiefs&artId=370136&i=4690&showonly=1 | archive-date = 2012-03-25 | url-status = dead }}</ref> He made three appearances, scoring twice, for South Africa U-17 before moving on to the U-20 team, where he played four times, three of these games coming at the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Masango scored a consolation in the 6–1 defeat to Germany U-20 on 5 September 2009, in a World Cup warm-up match.
===U-20 appearances and goals===
{| class="wikitable" |- ! # !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Result !! Competition !! Goals |- | 1 || 5 September 2009 || Sportpark Husterhöhe, Pirmasens || Germany U-20 || L 6–1 || Friendly || 1 |- | 2 || 27 September 2009 || Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria || United Arab Emirates U-20 || D 2–2 || 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup || |- | 3 || 30 September 2009 || Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria || Hungary U-20 || L 4–0 || 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup || |- | 4 || 6 October 2009 || Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia || Ghana U-20 || L 2–1 || 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup || |}
===U-23===
Masango played for the U-23 team, scoring on his debut in the 2–1 win over Zimbabwe to ensure South Africa's qualification for the All Africa Games. The midfielder also scored against Mauritius on 26 May 2011 in a 1–0 friendly win, <ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.safa.net/index.php?page=articles&id=391 | title = SA U-23 depart for Benin | work =South Africa Football Association | date = 31 May 2011 | accessdate = 10 September 2011}}</ref> and against Botswana in a 5–0 victory on 18 March 2011.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://m.kaizerchiefs.com/?name=kaizerchiefs&artId=410595&i=4690&showonly=1 | title = Masango on target for SA U23 | work = Kaizer Chiefs F.C. | date = 21 March 2011 | accessdate = 10 September 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120325163643/http://m.kaizerchiefs.com/?name=kaizerchiefs&artId=410595&i=4690&showonly=1 | archive-date = 2012-03-25 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
He made his senior debut on 17 July 2013 on the eve of his birthday against Lesotho and was unfortunate having not scored on debut like he did for the junior national teams.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kickoffnigeria.com/mobile/players/557/mandla-masango |title=Mandla Masango - Player Profile - Kick off |accessdate=2014-08-03 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810205224/http://www.kickoffnigeria.com/mobile/players/557/mandla-masango |archivedate=2014-08-10 }}</ref> He scored in his second match in the 2013 COSAFA Cup 3rd and 4th place playoff on 20 July 2013 against Lesotho. South Africa won 2-1 finishing third with a bronze medal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/teams/south-africa/bafana-finish-third/135427|title=Bafana Finish Third|website=www.soccerladuma.co.za|date=20 July 2013|language=en|access-date=2018-06-02}}</ref> Masango earned a call-up after his good form for AFCON qualifiers against Nigeria and Sudan. He claimed that his call up was "destiny" and that Sudan was his lucky charm. Masango's first call-up in international football came nine years ago against Sudan when he represented the South Africa Under-17 team in a 2005 Under-17 Youth Championship qualifier. The game was played at the same Al-Merrikh Stadium where South Africa played their 2015 African Nations Cup Group A opener against the Sudan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kickoff.com/mobile/news/48335/mandla-masango-says-his-bafana-call-up-is-destiny|title=Mandla Masango says his Bafana call-up is destiny|last=www.realnet.co.uk|website=Kick Off|language=en-gb|access-date=2018-06-02}}</ref> He played in the 3–0 win over Sudan<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/categories/bafana-bafana/mashaba-s-first-starting-eleven/175938|title=Mashaba's First Starting Eleven|website=www.soccerladuma.co.za|date=5 September 2014|language=en|access-date=2018-06-02}}</ref> and 0–0 draw over Nigeria.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/teams/south-africa-522/shakes-mashaba-names-starting-xi-for-nigeria-match/176354|title=Shakes Mashaba Names Starting XI For Nigeria Match|website=www.soccerladuma.co.za|date=10 September 2014|language=en|access-date=2018-06-02}}</ref> Masango scored a stunning goal referred to as a "stepback volley" against Ghana in the 2015 African Cup of Nations Group C final clash and made rounds in Spain and has been compared to Colombia's James Rodriguez famous volley in the 2–0 victory over Uruguay in last in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/categories/afcon-news/mandla-masango-s-stunner-making-rounds-in-spain/199500|title=Mandla Masango's Stunner Making Rounds In Spain|website=www.soccerladuma.co.za|date=29 January 2015|language=en|access-date=2018-06-02}}</ref> Bleacher Report described the goal as "ridiculous, outrageous and impossibly perfect".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/2344310-south-africas-mandla-masango-scores-ridiculous-step-back-volley-vs-ghana|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201082046/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2344310-south-africas-mandla-masango-scores-ridiculous-step-back-volley-vs-ghana|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 February 2015|title=South Africa's Mandla Masango Scores Ridiculous Step-Back Volley vs. Ghana|last=Greely|first=John|work=Bleacher Report|access-date=2018-06-02|language=en-US}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{South Africa squad 2015 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Masango, Mandla}} Category:1989 births Category:Living people Category:People from Thembisile Hani Local Municipality Category:South African men's soccer players Category:South African expatriate men's soccer players Category:South Africa men's international soccer players Category:Kaizer Chiefs F.C. players Category:Randers FC players Category:South African Premier Division players Category:Danish Superliga players Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:2015 Africa Cup of Nations players Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Denmark Category:South African expatriate sportspeople in Denmark Category:21st-century South African sportsmen