Ex-Chiefs star weighs in on Njabulo Ngcobo’s time in Naturena

Former Kaizer Chiefs defender Siphiwe Mkhonza has weighed in on Njabulo Ngcobo’s time with the Soweto giants.

Ngcobo joined Chiefs ahead of the 2021/22 DStv Premiership season following a great spell with Swallows FC.

For his incredible consistent performances with the Dube Birds he won the PSL Defender of the Season award.

With Amakhosi, it has been a different story as the 29-year-old has struggled to replicate his Swallows performances. Firstly, he struggled for game time resulting in him losing his spot at Bafana Bafana.

In the two seasons he has spent at Naturena, Ngcobo has only made 29 appearances in all competitions.

WHY NJABULO NGCOBO IS STRUGGLING AT KAIZER CHIEFS

Mkhonza believes Ngcono didn’t adapt very well when he made his move to Chiefs.

“I think it’s the different set up and the environment. At Swallows he was doing well Defender of the Season, gets to Chiefs he’s used sparingly. Maybe his adaptation was no as good as we expected it to be,” Mkhonza told SNAWA.

“You could see even when he plays, they even changed his role, to a more safer role playing as a holding midfielder.

“Ngcobo at Swallows was doing well, similar to [Mbulelo] “Old John” Mabizela how he played. But when they changed his role which means there is no trust.”

WHAT’S NEXT FOR NJABULO NGCOBO AT KAIZER CHIEFS

Ngcobo has one year left on his contract which comes to an end in June 2024. At the moment it’s not clear whether the centre-back will be at the club next season.

The Glamour Boys have bolstered the centre-back position by signing the duo of Thatayaone Ditlhokwe and Given Msimango from SuperSport United and TS Galaxy respectively.

Ditlhokwe penned a pre-contract as announced by Chiefs a few months ago, while Msimango’s arrival is yet to be confirmed by the club.

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