The fall and rise of Ndodole
Koketso Kgoboge | Friday April 3, 2020 20:34
Amongst the victims was modest and soft-spoken Allen Ndodole. But five years after Ndodole’s near football obituary, the attacker has burst back to life.
The tricky forward, after trudging the rough terrain that saw him quit at some point, later returned a rejuvenated man. Ndodole played a vital role in Orapa United’s Mascom Top 8 conquest.
His team’s success earned him a first treasured gold medal. He has been a revelation since reuniting with Mogomotsi ‘Teenage’ Mpote in Orapa. Mpote was in the junior national technical team, where Ndodole shone.
Ndodole’s body language is that of an unsure person, but beneath the hesitant look, lies a bustling talent. He carries a bag of tricks for a grounded player known mainly for his awareness and deft passes. “He has great attributes that make the difficult role he plays in our game appear incredibly simple. It is not every player linking defence, strikers and both wings that makes it seamless the way he does,” Mpote sang songs of praise when quizzed about their reunion.
Ndodole started his career in Palapye, at a tender age of nine in the hands of a woman coach, Barobi Nwako at FC Palapye’s development side.
His talent was obvious as he developed and in his final year at Mmaphula Junior Secondary School at the age of 15 he was promoted to the local side’s first team.
He helped his boyhood team to gain promotion to the First Division in his second season.
Subsequently, his talents caught the eyes of the junior national team coaches. Kaizer Kobedi roped him to the Under-17 side that had present-day household names in Thatayaone Ramatlapeng, Thato Kebue, Gape Mohutsiwa and Tumisang Orebonye to mention a few.
The jersey number 10 was largely the face of the talent-laden squad back then. They competed across the length and breadth of Africa and reached the group stages of the 2013 African Under-17 Championships held in Morocco, a rare feat for the national junior team.
His promising development took a nosedive after he had joined Majombolo in Selebi-Phikwe immediately after he completed his senior school studies at Lotsane Senior School. He was brought to the former copper and mining town by Kenneth Mogae.
He stayed two seasons at Nico United, but first-team appearance hardly came by. When the Selebi-Phikwe side fell into the slums after the infamous mine closure, he went south to join Mochudi Centre Chiefs.
His misfortunes lingered at Magosi as he still failed to break into the first team. A season and a half later, he had made his mind to prematurely hang his boots. He went back home in Palapye and stayed six months without playing.
Motlakase learnt of his inactivity and the team director, Gaolatlhe ‘Tips’ Kelesitse dragged him back to the field.
He spent half a season in the second-tier league before he left to join Sharps Shooting Stars, now Molepolole City Stars, to revive his top-flight career. He was a regular player alongside his current teammate Lawrence Nduga and Tshepo Malgas who is on loan at Notwane from Gaborone United.
Together they made a statement. It took him one season of top-flight football to show his mettle. Mpote, who had joined Orapa United a season earlier, noticed the resurgence, and having known the player from the junior teams, he quickly secured his signature.
He had called him to the national team where he held the top seat on interim basis and handed him his first Zebras cap. Mpote reckoned the player was a diamond that needed polishing.
“I always knew he was special and needed to be given his chances. He is one of the players you can’t ignore for long. He has a role to play at the national team and I have no doubt he will be back there and playing again,” he said.
Ndodole found adapting in Orapa easy. He said he received a hearty welcome and support from all concerned. He is optimistic about greater achievements at The Ostriches.
He gave thanks to his team for his first elite football gold medal.
“There has been many people very influential in my career that I dedicate this medal to. But in particular it goes to my late mother and my uncle Matshwenyego ‘Supa’ Ditsele who introduced me to football, took me to matches and supported me all the way,” he said.
The ambitious 24-year-old who was voted player of the quarterfinals in the Mascom Top 8 tournament said it would be special to win the elusive premiership title for his side. Their charge for league honours has been halted by the COVID-19 crisis that has brought the world to a standstill.
“The biggest achievement will be to compete in CAF (club competition) and to achieve that feat, we need to win the league. That is where we have set our eyes as the team. We are working well together, and every one of us is prepared to fight,” Ndodole said.