Polokwane City midfielder Manuel Kambala has revealed that he feared for his safety after scoring the goal that denied Kaizer Chiefs the 2019/2020 PSL title. Playing for Baroka FC at the time, Kambala’s crucial strike on the final day of the season handed the title to Mamelodi Sundowns, and the reaction from Chiefs fans left him shaken.
Kambala admitted that he was so scared of potential retribution from Amakhosi supporters that he avoided walking in Johannesburg, where he has many friends and family. He feared being attacked or confronted by angry fans, especially in public spaces like shopping malls. “I used to be afraid to even go to the mall in Johannesburg,” he said. “Some Chiefs fans take things very personally, especially when they’ve invested so much in their teams and even in betting. After what happened, I was scared someone might recognize me and try to hurt me.”
Despite the fear, Kambala acknowledged that these reactions were a part of football, where emotions often run high. “It’s normal in football, especially with fans who are so passionate about their teams,” he added. However, he expressed hope that the Chiefs fans have since moved past it and no longer hold a grudge against him.
Now playing for Polokwane City, Kambala has continued to impress in the PSL, helping his team rise to third place in the league standings with notable victories over some of the competition’s top clubs. Chiefs fans, meanwhile, have taken to social media to forgive the Mozambique international and even praised him for his significant contribution to the league during his time at Baroka.
