Ngcobo ready to bring his A-game
NKOSINGIPHILE Ngcobo has put his recent adversities behind him, stating that he wants to work his way to being a fully-fledged player at Kaizer Chiefs.
Dubbed ‘the future of the club’ after his impressive exploits in the youth ranks, Ngcobo hasn’t lived up to that billing since his promotion to the seniors.
That is mainly due to injuries, while changes of coaching personnel hasn’t helped him either, starting from his senior debut in 2019.
But just when things were expected to look up for him, with Arthur Zwane taking charge, his situation turned sour.
Ngcobo was sparingly used by Zwane in the opening stages of the term before he, unfortunately, lost his father midway through the first half of the season.
“It’s a challenge for us as soccer players (to be consistent), we go through a lot sometimes. But to try and give your A-game every day is
key,” he said.
“We try to be consistent in every game and training session. And I think that we’ve been trying to do very well since the start of the season as a team.”
Upon his return from special leave, Ngcobo seemed rejuvenated that he got a rare start against rivals
Orlando Pirates in the season’s first Soweto Derby.
And, boy, did he make an impression, playing a huge role in Chiefs' triumph.
“It’s a team sport. Whenever you are not getting game-time, you need to stay focused and make sure you are ready when you get the opportunity,” he said.
“I wasn’t worried (when I wasn’t playing) because we have good, tight and healthy competition in the team. We push each other. I had to work hard.”
“I am happy with my progress, I see improvements. But what’s important is to start winning trophies and start to do something for the team,” he added.
Ngcobo and Chiefs can think about winning major trophies in the second half of the season, having missed out on the MTN8 crown that was won by rivals Pirates.
But ‘Mshini’, who watched a number of his role models, including Zwane, hoist titles at the club, is confident they’ll end their trophy drought this season.
“What’s important is not to put ourselves under pressure, we are taking it one game at a time, trying to make sure we get maximum points,” he said.
“We’ve been fighting as a team. I think that we’ve been doing well as well. So I am confident that we are going to get something as a team this season.”
Chiefs could get a rare taste of winning a trophy via the Carling Black Label Cup at FNB Stadium on Saturday but that won’t come easy, given their opponents.
They will face off with Pirates in the second semi-final of the day, while a win will pit them against either Mamelodi Sundowns or Amazulu in the final later.
Ngcobo is one of the most-voted for players in the starting line-ups across the four teams, and he says he wants to repay the faith shown to him.
“I always appreciate the support that I get from Chiefs supporters. I am going to make sure that I put in my A-game,” the 22-year-old midfielder explained.