How Siyabonga Ngezana has repaid Arthur Zwane’s faith in him
"I always say this, football is a game of mistakes."
After facing massive criticism from Kaizer Chiefs fans, defender Siyabonga Ngezana appears to have struck the right chords to repay Arthur Zwane‘s faith in him.
Siyabonga Ngezana had been subject to criticism from the Kaizer Chiefs fans owing to a number of costly mistakes that he made.
Last year, the 25-year-old made several high-profile mistakes that even costed him a first team place.
Notably, Ngezana was the culprit when Amakhosi were drubbed 4-0 by Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld back in August.
He may have produced errant performances, but Chiefs’ defensive structure has proved to be their weakest department this season.
HOW NGEZANA HAS REGAINED ZWANE’S FAVOUR
At this point, however, Ngezana seems to have struck the right chords to regain his mojo and Zwane’s favour.
He has featured in the team’s last five games. And his solid performance against Richards Bay on Saturday all but left coach Zwane buzzing.
The Chiefs academy graduate put up a Man of the Match performance to score the only goal of the match. As a resulted they recorded a second consecutive win.
“Coming to Ngezana, I always say this, football is a game of mistakes,” said Zwane. “Once a player makes a mistake, and we bury him, are we helping the game to grow in this country?
“We have to look at ourselves. Many other players that were exceptional also made mistakes, very easy mistakes that were costly. However they came back very strong.
“And even me as a player, I made mistakes and I was given the opportunity to play football.
“Football is a game of opportunities and I’m happy for Siya. He looks solid now of late, and I expect him to continue that way,” Zwane said.
PROVEN VERSATILITY
The versatile defender has also covered the right-back in the absence of Reeve Froslers and Dillon Solomons who are injured.
Prior to the Richards Bay match, the KwaZulu Natal-born defence hardman revealed how Zwane helped him rise after several high-profile mistakes.
“There are things I like about coach Zwane. He tells me that football is the game of mistakes,” said Ngezana.
“If you don’t make mistakes, it means you are not a human being. And that’s how you grow from mistakes. You learn not to repeat the same mistakes that you did before.
“And it is like you tell yourself that you are done making mistakes. But you are still going to make them again.
“It’s life in general. I have overcome some situations through inspiration from the coach and the other players.”
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