The Kaizer Chiefs Naturena Village in all its glory. Image: Ernest Makhaya
Kaizer Chiefs fan favourite product to walk away from the club
This won’t go down well.
The Kaizer Chiefs Naturena Village in all its glory. Image: Ernest Makhaya
Kaizer Chiefs defender Njabulo Ngcobo is ready to leave the club after not being offered a new contract at Naturena.
Kaizer Chiefs to allow Ngcobo to walk away?
According to SABC Sport, 29-year-old Njabulo Ngcobo has started talks with AmaZulu after Chiefs failed to initiate contract extension negotiations with the defender.According to his agent Siboniso Ngubane, several teams are interested in the player, not just AmaZulu. With Chiefs stalling on offering him a new deal, an exit now looks likely.
“Kaizer Chiefs is a professional club, they communicate about their intentions. Unfortunately, they have not said anything about Njabulo Ngcobo. We are in talks with different clubs in the DStv Premiership, including AmaZulu FC,” Ngubane said to Ukhozi FM.
Fan-favourite has fallen down the pecking order
In 2023-24, Ngcobo has only made 10 league appearances for the Glamour Boys. Spiwe Msimango and Thatayaone Ditlhokwe are the clear first-choice pairing in central defence, although Ngcobo has enjoyed some time in the first team owing to Ditlhokwe’s shoulder injury. However, the Botswana star is back in training and will return to the starting XI when fully fit.
YOUNGSTERS TO BE SHIPPED OUT ON LOAN?
In addition to this octet of senior men, 24-year-old attacking midfielder Sabelo Radebe and 22-year-old central midfielder Samkelo Zwane could also depart Naturena on loan.
“These two boys have struggled to break into the first team since they were promoted but they are the ones for the future for [Kaizer] Chiefs,” a source close to the club told the Citizen.
“The club values both of them, but they will not get any better sitting on the bench hence a decision has been made to loan them out,” the source added.
There are also as many as eight senior players on the brink of an exit, including Ngcobo.
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