Golden Arrows striker Lungelo Nguse says he owes it to himself to live up to the name “Mbesuma.”
During Steve Komphela’s tenure at Arrows, the coach likened Nguse to Collins Mbesuma because of their similar physique, playing style, and powerful left foot. Mbesuma, a former Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, and Mamelodi Sundowns forward, remains one of the most prolific strikers in PSL history.
Mbesuma made his mark at Chiefs during the 2004/05 PSL season, scoring an astonishing 35 goals in all competitions, with 25 of those coming in the league — a record that still stands today.
Mamelodi Sundowns striker Peter Shalulile came close to breaking that record, netting 23 league goals in the 2021/22 season, but ultimately fell just short.
“I owe it to myself,” said Nguse, who recently returned to training after recovering from an ACL injury.
“I’m working really hard to come back to the team, play football again, and score goals like Mbesuma. Even if I can achieve half of what he did, it would mean a lot.”
Mbesuma became the first player in PSL history to win the Golden Boot twice — first in 2004/05 with Chiefs and again in 2015/16 with Mpumalanga Black Aces.
Nguse, who hails from Vryheid in northern KwaZulu-Natal, has not featured for Arrows since October last year, when he last played against the now-defunct SuperSport United.
Arrows assistant coach Musa Bilankulu confirmed in January that Nguse had suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury — one of the most serious setbacks a footballer can face.
Now, Nguse is on the verge of full recovery and has resumed training with the team.
“I’m back with the team now. When I got injured, it came at the wrong time because I was playing so well,” he said. “But with the support of the team and my family, everything is going to be fine.”
When asked about his return to action, Nguse added: “I’m training full-time now. It’s just about regaining my fitness levels — everything depends on that.”
The 26-year-old faces stiff competition for a starting spot, with Junior Dion currently in red-hot form. The Ivorian forward leads the PSL scoring charts with seven goals.
Nguse has scored eight goals in 38 professional appearances across stints with Bizana Pondo Chiefs and Baroka FC, before joining Golden Arrows in July 2023.
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