When he arrived at Jangwani, Yanga’s management made it clear that one of their major priorities was to find a midfielder capable of strengthening the team’s ball-winning and distribution, a role that had remained a gap since the departure of Ugandan midfielder Khalid Aucho.
During the last transfer window, Wananchi turned their attention to Morocco and signed Fredy Ngoma from Olympic Safi, a club that performed well last season and reached the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup.
Ngoma arrived at Yanga with the major responsibility of filling that void, but his start at Jangwani was not easy. The midfielder joined the squad late and therefore missed an important part of the pre-season, forcing him to begin the process of reaching the fitness level required for high-level competition.
However, as time goes on, signs of what Ngoma can bring to Mngqithi’s squad have begun to emerge.
Line-Breaking Passes
One of the qualities that sets Ngoma apart is his ability to play passes capable of breaking through the opposition’s defensive lines.
This is a type of ability Yanga previously enjoyed through Aucho, who was nicknamed “The Doctor” because of his passing ability, composure and capacity to link the defence with midfield. Ngoma has also shown signs that he possesses similar qualities.
Rather than simply playing quick passes without a clear purpose, he can help the team control the tempo of the game, move the ball from one area to another and look for opportunities to play passes behind the opponent’s midfield line.
For Yanga, having a player with those qualities can provide another option in the way the team builds attacks from the back.
His Biggest Challenge Is Time
Because he joined the squad late and did not fully participate in the initial pre-season preparations, he has needed additional time to regain his physical fitness.
That could be one of the reasons he has not been used regularly in high-intensity matches. However, the FIFA calendar break could prove to be an important period for him.
Yanga head coach Manqoba Mngqithi said he intends to use this period to improve the fitness of players who did not have the opportunity to participate fully in pre-season.
For Ngoma, this could be an important opportunity to improve his fitness, gain a deeper understanding of Mngqithi’s system and build chemistry with his teammates.
High Expectations at Yanga
Yanga have made a strong start to the season, but a long campaign requires more than just a starting XI. That is where Ngoma could become important.
If he continues to reach the required physical level, his ability to win the ball, receive possession under pressure and play line-breaking passes could give Mngqithi another option in midfield.
Beyond stopping opposition attacks, a midfielder with those qualities can also play a role in initiating attacks and controlling the pace of the game.
That is the area Yanga fans will be watching closely when the league resumes. His presence alongside players such as Duke Abuya could undoubtedly give Yanga greater stability in this important area of the pitch.
