Mntambo names TS Galaxy captain Mbunjana as his favourite rival

Former Orlando Pirates and Sekhukhune United midfielder Linda Mntambo has identified TS Galaxy captain Mlungisi Mbunjana as the opponent he most enjoyed facing during his playing career.

Mntambo, who was nicknamed ‘Figo’, made the revelation in an interview with iDiski Times journalist Lethabo Kganyago, published in edition 269 of the newspaper.

The 37-year-old announced his retirement from professional football in June this year, bringing to an end a career that lasted more than a decade. His final club was Sekhukhune United, also known as Babina Noko, where he suffered serious injuries during the latter stages of his career.

When asked to name his favourite opponent, Mntambo pointed to Mbunjana, whose competitiveness and physical approach made their meetings particularly memorable.

The former midfielder said he would regularly try to outplay Mbunjana and then share evidence of it on social media after matches, using the clips to tease the TS Galaxy captain.

“It’s also got to be a player from TS Galaxy, Mlungisi Mbunjana,” Mntambo told iDiski Times.

“You see the competitiveness that guy has, and we are around the same age. From the days in the NFD, when he played for a team in Cape Town, he always wanted to be physical.

“He’s got that physicality in him. So, every time, he likes to bulldoze.

“I always knew the best way for me to get the better of Mlungisi is to dribble him, and after every match we played against TS Galaxy, or wherever he is, I would post the clip where I dribble him just to make fun of him because he is that one player, I enjoyed winning against and tickling.”

Mntambo’s comments offer an insight into the competitive relationship he developed with Mbunjana during their time in South African football. The pair are of a similar age and crossed paths as their careers progressed through the domestic game.

Although Mntambo represented Orlando Pirates and Sekhukhune United, it was his individual battles with Mbunjana that stood out when he reflected on the opponents he most enjoyed competing against.

His retirement announcement in June marked the close of a playing career that stretched beyond 10 years. Injuries affected his final period at Sekhukhune United before he decided to step away from professional football.

The full interview with Mntambo and Kganyago is available in edition 269 of iDiski Times. Readers can subscribe to the iDiski Times media WhatsApp number free of charge to access it.

The iDiski Times Digital Newspaper is also completely free to download. It can be obtained through the publication’s download button, or readers can complete the available form to have the newspaper sent to them each week.

This article is sponsored by MTN8.