Latest news with #NkosingiphileNgcobo
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Chiefs a ‘joy to watch' says Dutch coach
'The Chiefs players combined very well with each other,' said NEC Nijmegen coach Koen Hermsen. Nkosingiphile Ngcobo says Chiefs are learning from their experience in the Netherlands. Picture: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix Kaizer Chiefs earned praise from the head coach of Dutch opponents NEC Nijmegen on Saturday, despite losing 1-0 in a friendly in Overasselt. ALSO READ: No concrete offers yet for Sundowns' Ribeiro 'The match was very well-balanced,' said Nijmegen coach Koen Hermsen, according to the official Chiefs website. 'I really thought Chiefs would equalise' 'The Chiefs players combined very well with each other, passing the ball around excellently. That was a joy to watch. 'To be honest, when Chiefs started to put pressure on us during the last 15 minutes of the game, I was worried. I really thought Chiefs would equalise.' Chiefs midfielder Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, meanwhile, says Amakhosi are learning from their experience in the Netherlands, despite losing all three of their friendly matches up to now. 'The more games we play against these type of quality opponents, the more we learn,' Ngcobo analysed. 'With every game we improve as a team and you saw that today. 'NEC Nijmegen was technically and tactically better than us, but not that much better. We could cope.' Chiefs' young star Mfundo Vilakazi was also happy with the way the team played on Saturday. 'It was a tough game,' said Vilakazi. 'But we are feeling good about our performance today. We managed to play well.' 'We are getting better with each game … will definitely win one of our last matches.' Chiefs' next game in their pre-season camp in the Netherlands is against PEC Zwolle on Tuesday at the Sportpark Ezinge. In Saturday's game, the starting XI was made up entirely from players from last season. Central defender Inacio Miguel captained the side, while Gaston Sirino played in attack, alongside Pule Mmodi and Tashreeq Morris. New signings come on On the hour mark, new signing Nkanyiso Shinga was part of a spate of substitutions, while another new recruit, Ethan Chislett, came on later in the game. ALSO READ: Pirates winger joins Saudi Pro League side Chiefs will play FC Twente in their final training match on Wednesday, before returning to South Africa on July 19. Amakhosi will then face Asante Kotoko of Ghana on July 26 in the Toyota Cup at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
The South African
5 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
FC Utrecht 4-0 Kaizer Chiefs: Who FIRED, who FLOPPED
Kaizer Chiefs were hammered 4-0 by Dutch outfit FC Utrecht on Friday afternoon in a training preseason match. Amakhosi coach Nasreddine Nabi opted to start with the majority of the team that went down 2-1 to Vitesse on Tuesday but the decision backfired. The team failed to find their rhythm throughout the game which allowed Utrecht to play with freedom. The Dutch side enjoyed most of the possession in the early stages, and it came as no surprise when Siebe Horemans slotted home from close range after Chiefs failed to deal with a set-piece. Utrecht dominated possession throughout the half against a toothless Amakhosi side. Adrian Blake's brace in the second half took the game away from Kaizer Chiefs as Utrecht piled on the pressure. Coach Nasreddine Nabi responded by ringing the changes for the final 30 minutes by changing the entire team, but that was a little too late as the fourth goal came in late on. Standout performers Thabo Cele 'The Mayor' showed why he is highly rated in the PSL. Having only joined Amakhosi in January, the 28-year-old looked lively in midfield and often combined with Nkosingiphile Ngcobo and Makabi Lilepo. Nkosingiphile Ngcobo The 25-year-old looked dangerous going forward, and often the Dutch defence struggled to contain him. He looked much more in control when he had to ball compared to MduduzI Shabalala Makabi Lilepo The Congolese once again showed up and was a nuisance on the right-hand side. He is a sure starter for Nasreddine Nabi and it's easy to see why. Brandon Petersen The experienced keeper looked vulnerable every time the Utrecht players entered the 18-yard area. He failed to organize his defense and at times he couldn't deal with crosses. He was to blame for two goals of the three goals he conceded. Miguel Inacio The Angolan defender was often found wanting and failed to deal with a number of dangerous attacks. His partnership with Nkhanyiso Shinga and Aden McCarthy looks suspect but might improve as the season continues. Kaizer Chiefs will be back in action Saturday against NEC Nijmegen and will look to improve from Utrecht defeat. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs star midfielder earns surprise contract extension
Kaizer Chiefs have made a bold move by securing midfielder Nkosingiphile Ngcobo's services until June 2027. Following a dramatic turnaround in form that silenced doubts about his future at the club. Initially on the brink of a loan move, Ngcobo has proven his worth to the Amakhosi technical team. Despite early season struggles, including a minor injury and challenges adapting to the new coach's system. The talented midfielder has clawed his way back into the squad's core. At the start of the campaign, Chiefs reportedly considered sending several players out on loan to gain match experience. Ngcobo featured on that list, casting doubt on his long-term role at Naturena. However, a trusted source close to the club has revealed a significant shift in the Chiefs' stance. 'The club values Mshini as one of their best players. Yes, it's true there were some setbacks at the start of the season which included a minor injury and the coach apparently not understanding his style of play but all that is behind him and that's why the club is believed to be happy to exercise his one-year option though his initial contract already runs until June 2026. This means his new contract should now run until June 2027,' the source disclosed, as per Soccer Laduma. Ngcobo's extension sends a strong message that Kaizer Chiefs are committed to nurturing and investing in local talent. With his contract now set to expire in 2027, the club appears ready to build its future midfield around the 25-year-old. This development marks a turning point in Ngcobo's career, and a potential turning point for a Chiefs side aiming to reclaim domestic dominance through strategic squad management and trust in their youth pipeline. Is this a good decision by Kaizer Chiefs to keep Ngcobo? Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
TimesLIVE
23-04-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Nkosingiphile Ngcobo feels pain of Kaizer Chiefs' inconsistent season
Kaizer Chiefs' Nkosingiphile Ngcobo concedes their Betway Premiership slump has been frustrating. The skilful midfielder added Amakhosi's mentality has also been challenged by losing games they are expected to win, while they seem to perform better when the odds are stacked against them. Chiefs have lost 10 league games of 25 this season, where the arrival of Tunisian coach Nasreddine Nabi and his technical team, despite his constant stress on the 2024-2025 campaign being for rebuilding, raised hopes of more stability at long-suffering Amakhosi after nine seasons without silverware. Amakhosi have been rooted in eighth place in the Premiership for weeks and a top half finish or even a better placing than last season's worst ever 10th are not certainties. A lone ray of hope comes in reaching the Nedbank Cup final, where Chiefs can avoid going to a decade without a trophy if they win the blockbuster Soweto derby clash against Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium on May 10.
