Nkosingiphile Ngcobo’s place at Kaizer Chiefs appears increasingly uncertain after the long-serving midfielder was left out of the matchday squad for two consecutive games.
The 26-year-old, who has spent almost a decade in the Chiefs senior team, was an unused substitute in the recent 1-1 draw with Mamelodi Sundowns before being omitted altogether for matches against Richards Bay and Sekhukhune United.
Ngcobo played in Chiefs’ opening two matches of the season, starting with the victory over Kruger United before featuring in the defeat by Golden Arrows in the MTN8. However, he has not played a minute in the three matches since.
That run has prompted questions over whether the attacking midfielder’s future could lie away from Amakhosi, the club he joined from their youth system in 2017.
Ngcobo has made 129 appearances for the Kaizer Chiefs first team, scoring eight goals and providing three assists. His recent attacking output, however, has been limited. He has not scored more than two goals in a single season since the 2020-21 campaign, while his combined total across the last three Betway Premiership seasons is also just two goals.
His absence from the squad against Mamelodi Sundowns was particularly notable, although he remained on the bench for that fixture. He was then not included in the matchday groups for the games against Richards Bay and Sekhukhune United, further adding to the uncertainty surrounding his role under head coach Fernando Da Cruz.
Kaizer Chiefs have made a steady, if unspectacular, start to their Betway Premiership campaign under Da Cruz. The Glamour Boys remain unbeaten in the league this season and have collected eight points from the 12 available.
Their next league fixture is a home meeting with Siwelele on Sunday, 6 September, with kick-off scheduled for 15:30. Chiefs will be hoping for improved conditions after their 2-2 draw at Richards Bay was played in difficult weather.
Goalkeeper Brandon Petersen was among those affected by the conditions during that match. Da Cruz has nevertheless publicly backed Petersen and assured him that he will not be dropped.
The match against Siwelele will be broadcast on DStv channel 202.
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