Dynamos coach has sensationally likened him to Argentine great Diego Maradona while club fans believe he can make the grade for the AFCON bound Zimbabwe national football team.
Yet critics say it’s too early to give him praise.
After all, the Congolese Dynamos striker Ngandu Mangala has only scored a brace against debutants Mushowani Stars in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) season-opener and is yet to be tested against some battle hardened experienced campaigners.
But Dynamos coach Lloyd Chigove has not made any attempt to hide his affection for Mangala who is making his first appearance in the PSL.
“He is like Diego Maradona who took Napoli from nothing to a great club,” said Chigove.
“He led Dynamos in the absence of captain Edward Sadomba. He is doing well for the club. He is very unpredictable just like a tide and can just explode and give you results,” Chigove added.
Mangala has been making headlines since joining Dynamos in the pre-season and his brace against Mushowani Stars left DeMbare faithfuls convinced he might be what the club was lacking last season when they lost Cameroonian Christian Epoupa.
Mangala who fled unrest in the DRC to settle in Zimbabwe in 2010 says his heart is with Zimbabwe and would prefer playing for the Warriors rather than his country of birth.
“My dream is to play for Zimbabwe. I feel more love for Zimbabwe than going to DRC. If the coach selects me for the national team, I gladly accept the offer because that is my dream,” said Mangala.
However the 25 year old striker who was showered with money by fans after Saturday’s match had a dent to his celebrations after he got injured towards the end of the match. He was heavily limping and had to walk with the aid of Dynamos security details.
Away from the glare of the media, Mangala’s campaign has not been smooth sailing though after a few run in with teammates, the most notable being in March when he exchanged blows with goalkeeper Simbarashe Chinani over a misunderstanding.
However, the DRC born forward insists going forward he will let his feet do the talking.
“My prayer every day is that I score as many goals as possible. I can’t give a specific number of goals but I promise to score many goals. Actually this is just the beginning more things are in store. Dynamos fans haven’t seen anything yet, I am going to make them happier than they are now,” said Mangala.
