The 28-year-old has opened up about the emotional and physical toll of the injury that cost him a place in South Africa's 2026 FIFA World Cup squad. The FCSB defender has now undergone surgery to repair a meniscus tear after months of playing through the pain in a desperate bid to remain in Hugo Broos' plans.
FC Steaua București general manager Mihai Stoica has hit out at the financial impact of the defender's exclusion from South Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad. The former Kaizer Chiefs defender was a high-profile absentee from Hugo Broos' selection, cutting the Romanian giants out of a significant FIFA windfall.
The 28-year-old defender has moved to clear the air regarding reports of his omission from South Africa's 2026 FIFA World Cup squad, blaming a breakdown in communication at his Romanian club FCSB for the confusion and handing Hugo Broos a significant boost by returning to action in Romania, proving his fitness just in time for the final selection process.
Reports have emerged from the eastern European country where the 28-year-old is based that claim the centre-back has been cut from the Mzansi national team coach’s plans, missing out on the World Cup squad. Despite being a consistent performer in recent seasons, the defender finds himself on the outside looking in as South Africa prepares for the global showpiece.
The South African legend has identified the three players he believes should replace the talented centre-back if he fails to recover in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With the former Kaizer Chiefs defender struggling for fitness following a series of injury setbacks in Romania, North America might come too soon for the 28-year-old.
The 28-year-old is refusing to let his World Cup dream die, with the FCSB defender making a defiant return to action after a lengthy spell on the sidelines. The former Kaizer Chiefs man has sent a clear message to Bafana Bafana boss as the race for a plane ticket to North America enters its final stretch.
The 28-year-old centre-back recently returned to competitive action after being sidelined since January due to fitness issues. His club has now provided an update on his situation and has also addressed growing transfer speculation.
The Red and Blues announced the departure of their Cypriot manager, Elias Charalambous, who leaves after a highly successful stint at the Romanian giants that coincided with the arrival of the former Kaizer Chiefs defender. But now, with the current champions finishing seventh on the Superliga table and dropping into the relegation round of the split table and Ngezana struggling to recover from injury, the 28-year-old faces an uncertain future.
The former Amakhosi centre-back is in a race against time to recover from a knee injury and be fit for the global football tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Failure to recover fully would force South Africa’s coach Hugo Broos to rethink his defensive plans ahead of the global showpiece. It would mean searching for a replacement for the player he trusted during the 2025 AFCON finals.
The former Amakhosi centre-back is in a race against time to be fit for the global football tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Failure to recover fully could force South Africa’s coach to rethink his defensive plans ahead of the global showpiece. It would mean searching for a replacement for the player he trusted during the 2025 AFCON finals.
South Africa are among the teams that will compete in the global competition scheduled for June. Mzansi will represent the continent alongside eight other nations that secured an automatic spot for the tournament. However, the Belgian tactician might have to do without one of his stars, who has suffered a nasty injury.
The defender has been excellent since his move to the Romanian heavyweights two seasons ago, winning the top tier and other domestic cups. The South Africa international has also been competing with the best in Europe, as his exploits continue to attract suitors who want to acquire his services to bolster their squads.
The 28-year-old former Kaizer Chiefs defender played a crucial role in helping the Red and Blues claim maximum points in a seven-goal thriller staged at the National Arena in Bucharest. The Romanian heavyweights started the campaign on a low note but are seemingly getting it right in the crucial stage of Europe's second-tier competition.
The South African senior national team under coach Hugo is preparing for the biennial competition that is scheduled to start from December 21 to January 18 in Morocco. Having finished third in the 2023 edition, football lovers in Mzansi hope their team can go all the way to win their second continental crown but will be concerned over the fitness of the 28-year-old defender.
FC FCSB
