LITTLE-KNOWN Siyabonga “Magwegwe” Ngezana could very well turn out to be the find of the season for Kaizer Chiefs.
His fantastic debut, capped by a goal and a Man of the Match award against Mamelodi Sundowns on Tuesday comes as Amakhosi supporters celebrate a big win for their team.
Chiefs defied the odds with a rare 2-1 league victory over one of their fiercest PSL rivals.Ngezana joined players such as Mandla Masango, Collins Mbesuma, Siyabonga Nkosi and lately Wiseman Meyiwa when he scored on debut in a crucial win for a team struggling to shake off poor form.
Amakhosi won their third game in eight matches, easing pressure and building some steam before they head into the epic Soweto derby this weekend.
The question on everyone’s lips is who exactly is Ngezane? Born in eTholeni in KwaZulu-Natal, the 20-year-old defender who plays centre-back and right-back, graduated from the youth structures and established himself in the MultiChoice Diski Challenge last season.
He cut his teeth at Senaoane Gunners and later at Orlando Pirates juniors. The player sat on the bench when Chiefs lost 3-1 to Chippa United in the league last December, but officially joined the first team this season, making his bow in PSL this week.
His excellent reading of the game has underlined his swift growth from a reserve league player to a potential regular in the senior team.
“I’m taking it game by game. I don’t rush anything. Every game means more hard work,” said Ngezana.“The coach said I must be calm and play my own football against Sundowns. I must keep going, scoring goals for the team. “
He emphasised we as youngsters were the solution for this team. So we must keep helping the team. Every point is crucial.”With plenty of youngsters likely to fall by the wayside in the race to make it to the very top of the professional game, individual hunger is essential.
It takes much more than trickery and skill, the attributes only forming part of the package in a complete player.
With time and proper guidance, Ngezana could prove to be such a player – and much more – for the Soweto giants this season.
