Ajax Cape Town coach Muhsin Ertugral believes that new Kaizer Chiefs signing Lebogang Manyama was unlucky and is not a failure after his time in Turkey came to an end with a move to the Soweto giants.
Manyama was revealed as a Chiefs player earlier this week after spending just one season with Turkish club Konyaspor.
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The former Cape Town City midfielder moved to Europe in 2017 off the back of a stellar campaign where he was named Footballer of the Season.
However, the Bafana Bafana star only turned out for 10 matches in all competitions for the Turkish side and netted two goals.
Despite his short stay in Europe, ex-Amakhosi coach Ertugral revealed to Goal.com that he believes Manyama was simply unlucky in Turkey and has the quality to make a big impact at Naturena.
‘No, he was not a failure in Turkey and from the beginning it was tough for him. I followed the club and talked to their president, I recommended him to the club,’ Ertugral told Goal.
‘You know it was difficult for him to join a club when he did not have a pre-season with them and there were a number of changes at the club,” he added.
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‘The coaches were changed and three of them, and that is the reality. I think people are too quick to judge and all these coaches came with different philosophies. So, he was just unfortunate.
‘He was just unlucky and maybe the timing was not perfect for his transfer, and they were nearly relegated,’ he continued.
‘So, there was pressure on Lebo and it is unfair to judge him. There’s no doubt about him and his quality.
‘I think he must not rush to get back to the field of play because he didn’t have pre-season. I have no doubt about him and he just needs six to eight weeks to become the player we all know,’ added Ertugral on the players fitness.
‘It’s great to see the old talents reuniting [Khama Billiat, Manyama and George Maluleka]. Manyama is a unique player. For me, he is not a striker and midfielder but someone who plays between the lines.
‘He can make them connect and makes the team play as well as scoring goals. So, I don’t doubt his ability that he will excel at Kaizer Chiefs,’ concluded Ertugral.
