Bafana Bafana defender Siyabonga Ngezana has revealed how he turned down a lucrative new contract at Kaizer Chiefs to realise his ambitions of playing in Europe.
Ngezana, who came through the ranks at Chiefs before featuring for the senior team for six years, moved to Romanian side FCSB last year and has enjoyed great success at the club, including winning a league title.
The defender, however, had the chance to stay home and even become captain at Chiefs when fresh terms were offered to him, but he opted for an adventure in Europe as that had always been his dream.
“I had a meeting with [Chiefs Sporting Director] Kaizer Motaung Jr and explained to him how important it is for me to move because it has been a dream to play in Europe,” Ngezana told SoccerBeat.
Why did Ngezana turn down big Chiefs’ offer?
“Now it is not about money because they [Chiefs] wanted to offer me a new contract and armband to be the captain for the team because I had been there for long.
“Being part of the captain’s committee and I was like; ‘no right now, it is not about money, it is about the dream right now. I love the team [Chiefs] so much and I want to play here but now it is about the dream to further my career somewhere in Europe because it has been a dream’.”
Ngezana won the league title with FCSB last year while he has been a key component of the team this term as they challenged on multiple fronts, including in the Europa League, where they reached the Round of 16.
The Sebokeng-born centre-back has made 38 appearances in all competitions for FCSB this season, managing one goal, and he could win his second league title as his side lead the standings.
