Ngezana returns from injury as World Cup race heats up for South Africa defender

Siyabonga Ngezana has stepped up his bid to reclaim a place in South Africa national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup after finally returning to action following a frustrating three-month injury layoff.

The centre-back, who had cemented himself as a key figure in coach Hugo Broos’ defensive setup, is now racing against time to prove he can regain full match sharpness before the global showpiece.

Prior to his injury setback, Ngezana had formed a reliable central defensive partnership with Mbekezeli Mbokazi, establishing himself as a first-choice option in the heart of defence.

However, a knee problem sustained at the end of January halted that progress, sidelining him during a crucial stretch of the international calendar.

His absence was notably felt during South Africa’s friendly fixtures against Panama in March, where Broos publicly acknowledged uncertainty over whether the defender would recover in time and accumulate enough minutes to be considered for selection.

There has now been a significant development in his recovery. Ngezana made his long-awaited return on Monday, featuring off the bench for FCSB in a hard-fought 3-2 away victory over Farul Constanța.

Introduced for the final 12 minutes, the appearance marked his first competitive outing since late January, when his side played out a 1-1 draw against Fenerbahçe.

While the cameo was brief, it represents a crucial step in his push to rebuild fitness and regain rhythm at a decisive point in the season. His club remain in contention for a place in European competition next term, sitting atop the relegation playoff standings in Romania’s league structure.

Finishing first in that group would offer a pathway into a playoff for qualification to the UEFA Europa Conference League.

The current campaign has, however, been far from straightforward for both player and club. After securing back-to-back domestic titles in previous seasons, with Ngezana playing a prominent role, FCSB have struggled to replicate that dominance.

A seventh-place finish in the regular season saw them miss out on the championship playoff, instead redirecting their focus toward securing continental qualification through the alternative route.