Kaizer Chiefs stars use FIFA break for traditional ceremony and family holidays

Several Kaizer Chiefs players have used the extended FIFA international break to rest and spend time with their families, with Nkosingiphile Ngcobo celebrating his Umembeso and others taking island getaways.

Ngcobo, a midfielder, marked the traditional pre-wedding ceremony with his long-time partner and the mother of his child, Thabisa, over the Heritage Day weekend.

The Umembeso, which involves the exchange of traditional gifts before a wedding, was attended by close family members and friends. Among the guests were Ngcobo’s Kaizer Chiefs team-mates Brandon Petersen, Bruce Bvuma, Zitha Kwinika and Rushwin Dortley, along with former team-mate Ashley Du Preez.

The celebration came during a period in which Ngcobo has had limited involvement on the pitch. He has played in only two of Kaizer Chiefs’ eight matches since the beginning of the season.

With no injury concerns reported, Ngcobo will be aware that he must work harder to secure a more regular place in the team. He will hope the break has left him refreshed as he looks to make his family proud through his performances when domestic action resumes.

Kaizer Chiefs attacker Flavio Silva also spent time away from football, travelling to a beach resort in Zanzibar with his wife, Zanira, and their children.

The Guinea-Bissau striker has endured a frustrating start to the campaign. He played only the opening half of the season opener against Kruger United, although he made an immediate impact by scoring.

Silva has not played since suffering an injury during that match, making the break an opportunity to recover and return with renewed energy.

Defender Inacio Miguel, by contrast, had not been dealing with an injury before the international window. He had started all eight of Kaizer Chiefs’ matches in the centre of defence.

Nevertheless, the demands placed on the team’s defence, including those involving Petersen in goal, made the pause welcome for Miguel. He used the time to take a short family holiday in Mozambique.

The extended FIFA break therefore provided different forms of respite for Kaizer Chiefs’ squad: Ngcobo celebrated an important family occasion, Silva continued his recovery away from the pitch, and Miguel took the chance to rest after a demanding run of matches.