03 August 2003

by Nat Serache

The North American Soccer League is set to confer on South Africa's most versatile soccer player of all time, Patrick "Ace" Ntsoelengoe, an honour that no other South African player has ever received.

The honour has already sparked off keen interest in Mogale City, where he is a resident. Advocate Lentswe Mokgatle, the Executive Mayor, has indicated that the council would love to show some appreciation of the honour that has been bestowed on one of their local heroes:

"When Ace leaves for the United States to receive the honour, he will be doing so as our worthy sports ambassador. He will be representing South Africa in general and Mogale City in particular, and we need to show appreciation of his outstanding achievement in one way or another," Mokgatle said.

Ntsoelengoe, the former Kaizer Chiefs midfield dynamo who was also a deadly striker, is among 27 top soccer stars from across the globe who will be inducted into the United States' National Soccer Hall of Fame in October. He is currently the coach of Chief's junior division.

He is among a galaxy of some well-known, world-class former soccer stars, some of whom are currently doing well as coaches.

"It is a thrill beyond belief just to be considered for induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame," says Ntsoelengoe. "Obviously, it is a distinct honour to be placed on a list among these world-class players."

President of the National Soccer Hall of Fame Will Lunn is quoted by the American press as describing the 27 selected players as "North American Soccer League Alumni".

Ntsoelengoe was selected for this highest honour in American soccer for the outstanding contribution he made to the game during the 11 seasons that he played in the North American Soccer League in the 1970s and 1980s.

After catching the eye of talent scout Phil Woosnam, Ntsoelengoe was an instant hit the moment he landed on the shores of the United States, where he plied his trade from 1973 to 1984.

Boasting the best record in both the number of appearances and the number of goals scored by any South African player in that league, Ntsoelengoe was also among the league's all-time leaders. He played in 271 NASL games, the fourth highest, scoring 94 goals - quite a major achievement for a midfielder.

He was named for the NASL all-star first team in 1979 and 1982 and for an honourable mention selection in 1977, 1978 and 1980.

Ntsoelengoe started his American soccer career with Miami Toros in 1973 before joining Denver Dynamos for the 1975 season. Most of his NASL career was spent with Minnesota Kicks, for whom he played from 1976 to the end of 1981.

The talented South African midfielder rounded off his American career with Toronto Blizzards, whose colours he donned from 1982 to 1984, before returning home to play for and assist in the coaching of Kaizer Chiefs.

The only reason why Ntsoelengoe never became an international hit in the league of the likes of Pele of Brazil and Maradonna of Argentina is because South Africa was banned from international soccer due to apartheid at the height of his playing career. In 1976, an Argentinean select team played against a merit-selected South African team and were handed a 5-0 drubbing.

After the game, Stan Motjuwadi, the late veteran sportswriter, asked Oscar Martinez, the Argentinean team manager, who rated as South Africa's top players in his opinion.

"Number one - 'Ace' Ntsoelengoe," Martinez said. "That boy is a mint. He is almost a perfect footballer. He can dribble; he can shoot; he can attack and he can defend."

"I will tell you why Ace stands head and shoulders above all your players. He is intelligent; he has got great ability and he is strong and courageous. He plays like he has got a machine inside his body. He knows when to dribble and when to shoot.

"What I like about Ace is that he is good in the air; good on the ground and good everywhere you can think of. I cannot remember seeing the ball taken away from him," said Martinez.

One can only hope this case will serve as a wake-up call for us. It should never again take the Americans to showcase South Africa's unique sporting talent. - Dikgang Tsa Mogale, August 2003

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