Ngezana eyes UEFA Champions League despite uncertain future at FCSB
Fresh off a league title win with FCSB, former Kaizer Chiefs defender Siyabonga Ngezana has set his sights on the UEFA Champions League, even as his future at the Romanian giants remains uncertain.
Ngezana’s FCSB finished the 2023/24 season at the summit of the SuperLiga table with 64 points from 30 outings, winning the league for the first time in nine years.
The top six teams from the SuperLiga regular campaign progressed to the Championship playoffs, with the top team advancing to the UEFA Champions League qualifiers.
Meanwhile, the runner-up team from the Championship playoffs will secure a spot in the Europa League qualifiers.
As things stand, FCSB leads the Championship playoffs table, nine points ahead of second-placed CFR Cluj. FCSB are now two games away from sealing its Champions League qualifiers spot.
Ngezana penned a five-year deal with FCSB in July 2023 from the DStv Premiership giants, Chiefs. Making it to the Champions League qualifiers will mean a lot for the 26-year-old footballer, who has never competed on the biggest stage, such as the Champions League.
‘IT WILL BE NICE TO PLAY IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE’
Ngezana revealed that playing in the Champions League will be a nice experience despite the uncertainty of his future at the club given the growing interest from other clubs for his services following his stellar displays this campaign.
In a previous interview with this publication, Ngezana confirmed the French Ligue 1 side’s [FC Lorient] interest but said no concrete offer has been made.
This comes after FCSB President Gigi Becali stated that there have been discussions about Ngezana’s move to Ligue 1, but only the highest bidder will unlock the transfer door.
“Obviously, we still need to play for the playoff rounds, which is not easy, and it’s not easy to always get into the Champions League qualifiers,” Ngezana told FARPost.
“So, we need to play to qualify to be there. I think we still have to play about four, if not six games, if I’m not mistaken, because I have never participated in the playoffs before, which will be home and away.
“We will see how things unfold because even myself, I’m not certain about my future because anything can happen at any time. But if I’ll still be with the team, it will be nice to play in the Champions League.”
FCSB’S NEXT ASSIGNMENT
FCSB’s next assignment will be against CFR Cluj in a Championship playoffs tie on Saturday, 11 May 2024 at home.
Their last game of the playoffs will be with Rapid Bucuresti on Sunday, 19 May 2024, away from home.
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