Gabonamong reflects on his Santos stay

THATO KALA
Correspondent | Friday February 4, 2011 00:00

The Zebras' star missed five of Santos' fixtures this season and was stripped off the captain's armband. On the contrary, last season he starred in 27 games, made two substitute appearances and missed only one game.

'I only missed four to five games at Santos this season, one was due to suspension so I cannot really say the coach never featured me. We had a chat (with Boobie Solomons) at the beginning of the season and he told me he was not going to use me because he was not aware of what my future at the club was, hence I had lost the captain's armband. I respected that decision and expect to feature in fewer games than ever before,' he explained.

The South African media painted a picture of a player who desperately wanted to dump Santos, but he feels the whole thing was blown out of proportion. Gabonamong indicates that he only wanted a new challenge after a five-year stay at the People's Team. 'I think my so-called wanting out of Santos was blown out of proportion in the media. I only said I wanted to move after the expiry of my contract and the next thing I was said to be badly wanting out of the club. My relationship with the team and its management was a healthy one,' he said. He singles out winning back-to-back Player of the Season awards and captaining the team as a great honour. Interestingly, Gino, as he is fondly known, has reunited with his Zebras' teammate Diphetogo Selolwane. The two were together at Santos four seasons ago. Gabonamong enjoys playing alongside Dipsy and believes his presence at SuperSport will make it easier for him to settle down. 'It's as though we are re-reliving the start of our careers in South African football. Same as it was at Santos, I join them six months into his contract so adjusting to how things are done here has been smooth,' Gabonamong said.

Interestingly, his last game for Santos was a 2-1 victory over his new club on 22 December 2010, but then he had no idea he would be donning Matsatsantsa colours this season. Orlando Pirates were also after his signature but he opted for the defending Absa Premiership champions as they tabled a better offer. On the Zebras' prospects of a maiden Africa Cup of Nations appearance, Gabonamong warns that it may be too early to start celebrating. He believes the players must remain focused in the remaining games. The senior national team plays Chad in the next qualifier in March and he is not underestimating the West Africans despite the first leg 1-0 win. Gabonamong made a welcome return to the Zebras on November 17 last year when he put up a five-star performance in the 1-0 victory over Tunisia. 'The players and the fans must not get too excited. Obviously that Chad game will be crucial especially considering we are playing away from home,' he warns. Meanwhile, Gabonamong has thrown his weight behind Vasco Da Gama-bound striker Jerome Ramatlhakwana saying he is one of the best strikers in the PSL.

'When JJ came (to Santos) I was excited with what I saw at training and I believed he would do well in the PSL. His game needed more work and maturity; something he always fought hard on and even when he was not given game time, he kept working hard,' he said.

The Zebras' striker has seen little action on the field of play since moving to the club in the 2008/09 season and has just joined Dirang Moloi at Vasco Da Gama.