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Niang has unfinished business

Pretoria - Having signed a new three-year deal with SuperSport United, Senegalese striker Mame Niang says he has a point to prove when he returns to the Pretoria outfit.

Niang was sent out on loan to cross-town rivals the University of Pretoria at the beginning of the season, but he agreed to a new contract and will join up with the Matsatsantsa squad for pre-season preparations in July.

Niang scored 10 goals in 25 appearances for AmaTuks - three less than the league's top striker, Katlego Mashego - helping the top-flight newcomers to a top-eight finish in the PSL.

"I love challenges. I feel like I have unfinished business with SuperSport," Niang said at the AmaTuks awards evening in Pretoria on Wednesday night, where the lanky attacker walked away with the golden boot award for the most goals of the season for the club.

"For me to score two goals in a whole season (at SuperSport in 2011/12), I don't feel it's right for a striker of my standard.

"I have to go back there and show them that they didn't make a mistake by signing me back."

With plenty of interest shown in the attacker's post-season movements from the likes of Orlando Pirates, Bloemfontein Celtic and Moroka Swallows, Niang said he selected United based on their style of play.

"I chose SuperSport because I felt it was the kind of team that might play to my strengths," he said.

"I didn't want to go to a team that played different football and I end up being nowhere.

"I would rather go to a team that plays to my strengths. I'm a different kind of player."

Niang said he was delighted to leave Tuks knowing he had scored goals that helped them qualify for next season's MTN8 competition.

"It's always nice to win the golden boot award.

"It's always sweet to win it - it means you're doing your job well - and I'm pleased to have won it for AmaTuks for the very first time (since being in the PSL).

"I'm leaving the club, which is sad, so it's special because it's the first time the team is in the top league and I'm the first player to win it.

"I'm glad I have 10 goals because it's a good achievement for a striker.

"My aim is always to get to double figures. I feel that I can always get to double figures, and as soon as I get there, I can target something more."

Niang won the 2005/06 Premiership top goal-scorer award, netting 14 times for Moroka Swallows, and he was looking to end his career in South Africa with another successful stint.

"I'm going to SuperSport knowing that I have to fight for my position, which I like.

"I'm 29 and I have to look after myself now. I'm not going to play for the next 10 years.

"This is a good deal and SuperSport is a club that I'm looking to win titles with.

"I feel like this season I have improved so much in my game. I feel like next season I can lift mountains."

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