Kaizer Chiefs out of favour defender Njabulo Ngcobo is now linked with a move to Durban-based AmaZulu in a sensational move. Ngcobo has been a bench warmer at Chiefs this season and his future remains a subject of speculation but talk is that he will head to Usuthu.
The former Moroka Swallows central defender, Ngcobo is now set to leave the Naturena-based Chiefs as the club looks to get rid of dead wood. SABC Sport now reports that the 29-year-old defender could be transferred to join Pablo Franco Martin’s AmaZulu and his agent also confirms the news.
Out of Favour Chiefs Defender Ngcobo Linked with Usuthu
The public broadcaster has Ngcobo’s agent, Sboniso Ngubane saying Chiefs are yet to indicate their intentions about the defender, but he is already engaged in talks with the DStv Premiership rivals.
It has come to the attention of Sport Plus that AmaZulu is currently in talks to lure defender, Ngcobo away from the Glamour Boys at the end of the 2023/24 season.
With his contract ending in June, Ngcobo is free to listen to offers per FIFA Player Status and Transfer Regulations – he is already weighing up his options as he continues to struggle for game-time under interim coach Cavin Johnson. Looking at the current campaign, Ngcobo has only featured in 10 matches, starting six and playing four as a substitute this term for Chiefs.
Although he wouldn’t confirm Ngcobo’s next move, Ngubane further revealed talks are underway with several teams in the South African top flight, with the Moses Mabhida Stadium-based side being one of them. Ngubane was speaking to the SABC radio station, Ukhozi FM, and confirmed that indeed Chiefs have not decided on Ngcobo’s future beyond the current campaign.
“Kaizer Chiefs is a professional club, they communicate about their intentions. Unfortunately, they have not said anything about Njabulo Ngcobo,” Ngubane told SABC Sport.
“We are in talks with different clubs in the DStv Premiership, including AmaZulu FC.”
According to FIFA Player Status and Transfer Regulations, the 29-year-old is already free to engage with interested parties as well as sign a pre-contract effective 1 July 2024. Formerly on the books of the Dube Birds, Ngcobo moved to Amakhosi in July 2021 following a standout campaign in which Swallows finished in sixth position and he subsequently won the PSL Defender of the Season accolade.
Chiefs Boss Johnson Puzzled by Leaky Defence
After their 2-0 defeat at the hands of Chippa United last weekend away in Buffalo City, Chiefs now have an unwanted record of conceding five goals in four matches without a single victory, three of them defeats.
While Chiefs wrapped up 2023 brightly under Johnson and their initial rebound from when he took over from Molefi Ntseki in October was built on a string of clean sheets, they are experiencing a bad slump. The Soweto giants now have four draws, three defeats, and one win in 2024 but Johnson refuses to point fingers at his leaky defence.
“Not much is different. They are all the same players] have played in defence. Maybe on Saturday, I can say it was the wet conditions. But the conditions are the same for both teams,” the former Platinum Stars mentor said.
“I cannot put my finger on it, but we will get it right. We did have clean sheets; we have conceded goals [recently]. And we should get it right soon, soon. We’re going to have to analyse all those moments and show the players and rectify that even though we’ve put in a good effort. We need to be more clinical and a lot calmer in those situations.”
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