Siyabonga Ngezana celebrates Europa League Last 16 qualification with FCSB
Bafana Bafana defender Siyabonga Ngezana celebrated a significant achievement as his club, FCSB, secured qualification to the UEFA Europa League Last 16 on Thursday evening.
FCSB secured their place in the Europa League Last 16 with a decisive 2-0 victory over PAOK Thessaloniki at the National Arena in the second leg of their playoff tie. This followed their 2-1 away win at Stadio Toumbas in Greece during the first leg, resulting in a 4-1 aggregate score.
This qualification marks FCSB’s first appearance in the Europa League knockout stages since the 2017/18 season, where they reached the Last 32.
In the first leg, the former Kaizer Chiefs star – Ngezana was introduced at the start of the second half and featured for 45 minutes. Then, on the return leg on Thursday, the Bafana Bafana international started and played the entire match.
HOW SIYABONGA NGEZANA HAS FARFED IN THE EUROPA LEAGUE
The 27-year-old has been a regular starter for FCSB in the competition. So far, the talented centre-back has made nine appearances, including against former UEFA Champions League and Europa League winners Manchester United.
He started seven matches and came in two times as a substitute. Ngezana’s presence on the field has seen the team keep three clean sheets and let in nine goals.
FCSB SET TO FACE LYON OR FRANKFURT IN EUROPA LEAGUE LAST 16
Following their qualification to the Last 16, the reigning Romanian champions will either face French Ligue 1 side Olympique Lyon or German Bundesliga outfit Eintracht Frankfurt.
Both Lyon and Frankfurt sealed qualification to the Last 16 after finishing in the top eight of the Europa League log standings. Frankfurt finished fifth with 16 points, whilst Lyon was sixth with 15.
Elsewhere, FCSB missed out on the automatic qualification on goal difference after collecting 14 points. They were on par with Scottish Premier League giants Glasgow Rangers, FK Bodø/Glimt of Norway and Belgian Pro League side RSC Anderlecht. Rangers’ goal difference saw them seal automatic qualification.
The Last 16 draw will be conducted on Friday, 21 February, at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland.
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