Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz has explained that stiff competition from Mduduzi Shabalala and Mfundo Vilakazi has kept Nkosingiphile Ngcobo out of regular football.
With just two appearances this season, Ngcobo has found game time hard to come by under Da Cruz despite a promising start to the campaign. After starting and playing 63 minutes in the MTN8 quarter-final against Golden Arrows, he was limited to a 12-minute cameo in the Betway Premiership opener against Kruger United.
But since then, the attacking midfielder has struggled to even make Chiefs’ bench and has been frozen out despite being comfortable as a central midfielder and an occasional winger. Apart from Shabalala and Vilakazi, Da Cruz also has Ethan Chislett as an attacking midfielder option, and the Durban-born star has been a bit-part player.
Ngcobo has seen his opportunities limited in a side crying out for creativity and slipping further behind in the Betway Premiership title race.
FERNANDO DA CRUZ TELLS NGCOBO TO ‘KEEP WORKING’ AS STIFF COMPETITION SIDELINES MIDFIELDER
![Nkosingiphile Ngcobo [C] in action for Kaizer Chiefs gainst Golden Arrows FC](https://farpost.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/Nkosingiphile-Ngobo.jpg)
The Soweto giants have been struggling for a reliable goal-scorer, making Mayo an option for Da Cruz when he regains full fitness.
“As I mentioned previously, nothing major has happened with those two players. Khanyisa Mayo is simply not ready physically at the moment. He has worked hard to get back, but he is moving in the right direction,” Da Cruz told journalists during Thursday’s Carling Knockout media briefing.
“Speaking about Mshini [Ngcobo], he has a lot of competition in his position, with Shabalala, with Vilakazi, who are able to play in this position as well.
“So he must keep his motivation; he must keep working, because we need everyone during the season.”
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