YOUNG CENTRE-BACK KEY FACTOR IN CHIEFS’ HOT RUN

making nine appearances to date.

He missed the first two league matches, but after that has started every match for the AmaKhosi as they seek to return to former glories after three barren seasons.

The last few months have seen a coming of age for the 21-year-old, who made his national team debut in the COSAFA Cup in June and will now be pushing for a more regular place in Stuart Baxter’s side.

It has been a remarkable rise for a player once on the books of Orlando Pirates juniors, who has instead found himself a growing influence at their Soweto rivals.

After being promoted from the MultiChoice Diski Challenge team, Ngezana made his Chiefs debut against Mamelodi Sundowns in October 2017 and bagged a goal to immediately shoot to national prominence.

His next game was the Soweto Derby against Pirates, where he almost netted again in what was a true baptism of fire in a Chiefs jersey.

He made 18 appearances in his first season, a healthy start, and has begun the new campaign as the regular choice at centre-back.

With his physical attributes and tactical acumen, he is a player that is improving fast and TAB soccer customers need to factor in that he could be a trump card again for Chiefs when they play Highlands Park on 2 October.