Mamelodi Sundowns defender Sifiso Ngobeni took a moment to reflect on the rollercoaster of emotions that defined his season at the home of the Champions. The Mamelodi born-star couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride and satisfaction as the 2022-23 season reached its conclusion, Ngobeni recalled the triumphs and challenges he faced throughout the year and the feeling of clinching the DStv Premiership title.
“My season was all about growth, I was on loan to SuperSport United and then I was called back to the team, for me it was all about growth and learning and getting game time. It was hard from day one because after signing for Mamelodi Sundowns you know that you have to bring the big trophy home, it has been 8 years since we won the trophy but this season we were almost there, but it was very hard.”
“We have to continue doing what we are doing, first of all the love we have for one another, the brotherhood we have for one another and also the Coach keeps telling us that we need to be good human beings. It feels good to be a champion, it’s a feeling that I didn’t expect and it’s something that I don’t even have words to describe, but it’s a good feeling.”
As he recalled the exhilarating moments throughout the season, Ngobeni acknowledged the support and camaraderie within the squad, mentioning the importance of learning from his teammates and coaches. “For me brotherhood is very important because we are helping each other, everyone is working towards one common goal and for us to achieve that goal everyone has to be in the right space.”
“We need to support each other and there has to be no jealousy as to who is playing and who isn’t. For me it’s very good that we love one another and that’s the biggest thing that will also help us in the next season to continue being brothers, to continue helping each other because you can even go to a senior player for advice because they’ve been there before, they have the experience and you can speak to them.”
The 26-year old left back looked ahead to the next season with a renewed sense of ambition and excitement, acknowledging the support and compatriotship within the squad. Ngobeni is one of the players to be deployed at full back and shares the position with one of his childhood friends, he recognizes the importance of learning from his teammates and coaches as the squad is filled with competition to make it into the matchday lineup.
“It’s a good competition for us at left back because there’s a lot of us but we are helping each other to grow because we know when one of us is playing you have to learn from them, and also when you get the chance to play you have to play your part and they will also learn from you. I am competing with Terrence [Mashego], he’s my home boy and we started this journey together. I remember when we used to go to the gym in Silverton where we used to do extra training sessions together, it’s a good competition for us to help each other grow.” Said Ngobeni.
Ngobeni expressed his optimism for the upcoming season, he is determined to elevate his game and help his team achieve even greater heights in the next campaign. “In the coming season I will do more work because in a big team like Sundowns you need to work hard and you need to keep growing. I will continue listening to my coaches, putting in more hard work into my craft.”
