Manqoba Mngqithi lauds ‘special child’ Anele Ngcongca
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi has admitted that the club is grappling to come to terms with the passing of its former defender Anele Ngcongca.
Ngcongca died in a car crash in KwaZulu-Natal on Monday.
Mngqithi, who is one of three coached tasked with filling the boots of Pitso Mosimane, says the former Bafana Bafana defender brought experience and discipline to the team.
“It is with sadness that one has to make this tribute to Anele Ngcongca. I have been struggling the whole time to be able to put these words across and I felt it was unfair for the public not to know the feeling we have for having Anele for five years.
“Anele was a special child of the soil, having represented us at an international space in Belgium playing for big teams, Genk being one of them, going all the way to Holland and representing the country with Bafana Bafana.
Ngcongca shared a pitch with highly-rated international players, such as Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne.
“This is a player who played with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, played with the likes of (Inter Milan striker Romelu) Lukaku and he did exceptionally well in the European space with all the experience. Even in the UEFA Champions League,” says Mngqithi.
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Former Bafana defender Anele Ngcongca killed in car crash
The 33-year-old football star was involved in a crash on the N2 near Mtunzini on Monday morning. KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Jay Naicker says the victim was declared dead on the scene. "The driver sustained serious injuries and was taken to hospital for medical attention.The circumstances surrounding the incident are still under investigation.
The 33-year-old, who won several league championships with Sundowns, was seen as a leader in the dressing room, says Mngqithi.
“His contribution in the club has been immense. We knew that whenever we are facing a stiff competition, when we have Anele in the right-hand side of the defence, we are safer and he got leadership as he was leading from behind and telling all the other young stars where to go and making sure the team is organised.”
Ngcongca earned 53 caps for Bafana Bafana and played nine seasons at Belgium club Genk before returning home to play for Mamelodi Sundowns.
“It’s a very sad loss for all of us and the pain that we are all feeling from players, technical team, support, kitchen and security staff and everybody in the Sundowns family, including the president of the club,” says Mngqithi.
