Former Kaizer Chiefs defender Siyabonga Ngezana is on the edge of glory with FCSB. Here are more details on a potentially glorious maiden season in Romania.
Ngezana is feeling at home in Romania
Siyabonga Ngezana has become a mainstay in the FCSB defence. Head coach Elias Charalambous has played an integral role in his settling in Bucharest. The Cypriot manager was born in South Africa and has a South African father.
“Yes I know [he is South African], I was amazed, he was the first guy who tried to make me feel at home, he shared some stories about South Africa – his father is from the Eastern Cape,” Ngezana told iDiski Times.
“No [he doesn’t speak Afrikaans], only English but some Xhosa also, he would talk to me in Xhosa and I would understand him, he was the only guy I understood much better because of his South African roots. He made me feel comfortable when he spoke Xhosa.”
FCSB are storming to the title
FCSB finished the regular Romanian season atop the standings with 64 points, nine points ahead of Rapid Bucuresti. The top six from the regular season slug it out in a ‘mini-league’ Championship Round, playing each other twice to settle the eventual destination of the title. Ngezana’s team have one hand on the trophy after a flawless start, winning four matches out of four and conceding just a solitary goal. Ngezana has featured in all four of these clutch matches.
Since arriving at the club in July 2023, Siyabonga Ngezana has become a mainstay in the heart of FCSB’s defence. He wasn’t an automatic first choice, but when former Tottenham man Vlad Chiricheș went down with an injury early in the campaign, Ngezana took his opportunity to stake a claim. Overall, he has 28 appearances for the club in all competitions and 15 clean sheets. Not only is he on the brink of his first league title, but he’s also set to play UEFA Champions League football next season with the Romanian giants.
CLICK TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY FOOTBALL FANATIC JAMES FREEMANTLE.
Also, follow The South African on X for up-to-the-minute news updates.
