Bafana Bafana Bombshell: Siyabonga Ngezana Returns From Injury But Faces Frustrating FCSB Setback Until January

South African defender Siyabonga Ngezana has taken an important step towards returning to football after recovering from a lengthy knee injury, but his comeback has encountered another obstacle at Romanian club FCSB.

The former Kaizer Chiefs centre-back has returned to group training after undergoing surgery on a torn meniscus in June 2026. However, reports from Romania indicate that he has been removed from FCSB’s domestic league registration list, meaning he cannot immediately return to competitive league action despite making progress in his recovery.

The situation is a frustrating development for the 28-year-old defender, who has spent months working towards regaining full fitness and rebuilding his momentum at club level.

According to Romanian reports, FCSB removed Ngezana from its league list to accommodate Croatian midfielder Karlo Muhar following his arrival in September. The club had to make changes to its registered foreign-player options, and Ngezana was the player left out while he was recovering from injury.

A Difficult Road Back From Injury

Ngezana’s injury problems began while representing Bafana Bafana at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. He subsequently struggled with the knee issue at club level and initially attempted to manage the problem without surgery.

The defender reportedly delayed the operation because he remained hopeful of earning a place in South Africa’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

That ambition ultimately did not materialise, with former Bafana coach Hugo Broos leaving him out of the tournament squad. Ngezana later underwent surgery in early June and began his rehabilitation programme.

His return to group training in October is an encouraging sign after several months away from competitive football. Nevertheless, training with teammates does not automatically mean a player is ready to return to matches.

Ngezana must still regain match fitness and continue progressing under the club’s medical and technical staff.

Why January Has Become Important

The registration issue adds another layer of difficulty to his comeback. Reports indicate that FCSB will have an opportunity to review its domestic league registration arrangements during the January 2027 window.

Club officials have also reportedly preferred not to rush Ngezana back into competitive action before he has completed his recovery and regained the necessary fitness.

For the defender, this means patience will be essential. Although returning to training is a major milestone, his route back to the starting line-up may take longer than expected.

His last competitive appearance came in May 2026, leaving him without regular match action during a significant portion of the current campaign.

What This Means For Bafana Bafana

Ngezana’s situation also raises questions about his international prospects. Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane has several centre-back options available, including Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Olwethu Makhanya, Ime Okon, Nkosinathi Sibisi and Khulumani Ndamane.

With competition for defensive places increasing, Ngezana will need to return to regular football before he can make a strong case for selection.

Source:

https://x.com/KickOffMagazine/status/2115735841725137352