The UEFA Champions League trophy. Photo: FABRICE OFFRINI / AFP.
Ex-Kaizer Chiefs star books place in UEFA Champions League
What a vibe.
The UEFA Champions League trophy. Photo: FABRICE OFFRINI / AFP.
Ex-Kaizer Chiefs defender Siyabonga Ngezana will be a feature of the UEFA Champions League next season because of his success with FCSB in 2023/24.
FCSB crowned champions
FCSB, formerly known as Steaua București, are no stranger to success. However, it’s been a while since they tasted Romanian Superlig glory and they’ve finally become reacquainted with that feeling. Siyabonga Ngezana’s team were confirmed as champions on Saturday for the first time since 2015. FCSB have won 27 domestic crowns in their storied history, but a nine-year drought wasn’t in the script. Ngezana, on a personal level, tastes his first piece of league silverware. He will also feature in the esteemed and prestigious UEFA Champions League next term.
Ex-Kaizer Chiefs star is a mainstay
26-year-old Ngezana is a key figure for FCSB, playing all seven of their Championship Round matches to date and he featured in 23 league outings in the regular season. He wasn’t an automatic first choice initially, 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’s made 31 appearances for the club in all competitions and kept 15 clean sheets in those matches.
Rumours continue to swirl
According to KickOff.com, the talented defender has attracted interest from the Turkish Superlig.
“The latest enquiries have come from Turkey, with one of the big clubs there is weighing the option of bringing him on board next season. On Tuesday, this website was tipped off about the option of Turkey. Questions about his personal terms were mentioned along with what his club will demand. The Turks have thrown microscopic eyes across the Black Sea in following what Ngezana is doing to detail,” wrote the website.
Amakhosi still keen on a payday?
Ngezana, once a youth product at Chiefs, moved to Romania for €600k (roughly R12 million). Amakhosi could earn another massive chunk of cash if he makes another lucrative move. FCSB owner Gigi Becali has insisted that he won’t sell Ngezana for less than €6m. That’s roughly, R122 Million, with rumoured interest from France’s Ligue 1 in January and now interest from Turkey. With a reported 10% sell-on clause inserted into his FCSB contract, Chiefs could earn north of R12 million more should Ngezana move anywhere for that alleged fee. That’s some smart business.
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