Kaizer Chiefs fans, like any fanbase, love a comeback story, and Given Msimango has just started a fresh chapter.
The Brakpan-born defender has been named in the 22-man squad heading to Egypt for Sunday’s CAF Confederation Cup clash against Al-Masry, his first appearance in a matchday group since April.
AL-MASRY HOST KAIZER CHIEFS IN SUEZ
It has been 221 days since he last saw his name on the matchday squad, back when Amakhosi stunned Mamelodi Sundowns 2–1 in the Nedbank Cup semifinal at Loftus. Wandile Duba stole the headlines that night, but Msimango played his own massive part.
The 28-year-old centre-back is back in the mix as Amakhosi jet off to the Suez Stadium for their Group D opener, officially named in the club’s travelling 22-man squad.
Msimango, a former TS Galaxy captain and a proud graduate with both a Business Management Diploma and a BCom Accounting degree, he took the long route from varsity football at UJ to Highlands Park, then Galaxy, and finally Kaizer Chiefs.
PLAYING COMPETITION AND EXPERIENCE
Walking back into this current Amakhosi side won’t be a simple check-in. Inacio Miguel, Zitha Kwinika and Aden McCarthy have been rock solid, helping the Soweto giants to nine clean sheets in 14 matches across all competitions.
At 28, Msimango isn’t just another squad number, he’s a seasoned campaigner. With 148 PSL matches behind him, most of them during his steady rise at TS Galaxy (75 games), he’s seen almost everything the league can throw at a defender. He even chips in going forward, having scored four goals for the Rockets and another during his 33-game stint at Highlands Park.