Ruck and Maul Column by Ashfak Mohamed
I seldom have time to watch Manchester United in action these days, but last week’s Europa League clash against FCSB caught my eye.
Part of the reason I wanted to tune in was to see how erstwhile Kaizer Chiefs defender Siyabonga Ngezana would fare. The 27-year-old was lining up as a centre-back in a three-man FCSB (formerly Steaua Bucharest) defence in front of a packed National Arena stadium, with a capacity of over 55 000.
It was a wonderful occasion for the European champions from the 1985-86 season, who are still the biggest club in Romania. What a stage for Ngezana, too, as he has stated previously that he is a big United fan.
He was often criticised, sometimes unfairly, on social media during his Kaizer Chiefs stint, where he operated as a right-back and centre-back from 2017 to 2023. But his world changed dramatically when he joined FCSB in 2023.
He has won the domestic league and cup, has featured in Uefa Champions League qualifiers, and was now facing Manchester United in a vital Europa League encounter. Ngezana, donning jersey No 30, more than held his own against the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Ganacho.
The most impressive part of his game for me was his work in the air, as he cleared the danger with timely headers on a few occasions.
Seeing Ngezana going toe-to-toe with Manchester United made me wonder why many of our Bafana Bafana stars are not playing for European clubs.
Ngezana will hopefully be considered by coach Hugo Broos once more for the Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin in March – having been part of the group for the Afcon qualifiers against Uganda and South Sudan last November – and perhaps he can have a word with some of his SA teammates about moving up north.
Top of that list should be Teboho Mokoena, the Mamelodi Sundowns stalwart.
The box-to-box midfielder is a big fish in the small SA domestic pond, but undoubtedly has the ability to be a success in Europe with his long-range shots, passing skills and tough tackles.
Having turned 28 in January, the Bethlehem-born player is in his prime, and needs to make a move soon.
Broos spoke last week about Orlando Pirates wunderkind Relebohile Mofokeng, stating that he is likely to leave SA for an overseas club at the end of the season.
The Bafana mentor cautioned Mofokeng to be careful about which club to join, suggesting that a move to Barcelona – whom he has been linked with previously – may not be the correct choice at this stage of the 20-year-old’s career as he probably won’t get regular first-team game-time.
But whichever club Mofokeng joins, I’m just glad that he is set to move to Europe this early in his career, as his sublime skills can be showcased to a global audience – and him being exposed to a higher level of football can only benefit Bafana.
In terms of recent SA players going overseas, Percy Tau and Lyle Foster have featured in the Premier League, while there are others also abroad, such as Sphephele Sithole, Khanyisa Mayo, Mihlali Mayambela, Elias Mokwana, Cassius Mailula, Luther Singh, Fagrie Lakay, Gift Links, Luke le Roux and Bongokuhle Hlongwane, amongst others.
Apart from Mokoena and Mofokeng, there are a number of current Bafana players who are more than good enough to make it overseas.
Goalkeeper and captain Ronwen Williams, right-back Khuliso Mudau, defender Rushwin Dortley, wing-back Aubrey Modiba and forward Patrick Maswanganyi – what a penalty that was against Kaizer Chiefs – come to mind.
So, they should do like Ngezana and also try to play against teams like Manchester United in competitive fixtures.
Ashfak Mohamed is Independent Media's deputy sports editor. He is a veteran of sports journalism, with over two decades of experience.