Nkosingiphile Ngcobo is back from injury, but his return presents Kaizer Chiefs with a difficult question: does the midfielder still have a long-term future at Naturena?
The Kaizer Chiefs midfielder is fit again and back in the squad, but his recurring fitness problems and limited attacking numbers continue to raise questions about his place in the club’s plans.
Chiefs turn attention to Richards Bay
Chiefs will return to Betway Premiership action on Wednesday, 26 August, when they travel to face Richards Bay in a 19:30 kick-off.
The Glamour Boys were held to a 1-1 draw by Mamelodi Sundowns in their previous league outing, with Ngcobo remaining an unused substitute.
His availability is undoubtedly positive news for head coach Nasreddine Nabi, but his current situation is more complicated than simply getting back on the pitch.
Ngcobo’s injury record remains a concern
Ngcobo enjoyed his most productive league campaign in terms of appearances during the 2020/21 season, featuring 25 times and scoring four goals.
Since then, however, injuries have repeatedly disrupted his progress.
His league appearances subsequently dropped to:
- 2021/22: 16 appearances
- 2022/23: 13 appearances
- 2023/24: 12 appearances
- 2024/25: 11 appearances
- Last season: 16 appearances
While his availability improved last season, his attacking contribution remains a concern.
Since his four-goal campaign in 2020/21, Ngcobo has failed to score more than two league goals in a single season. Across his last three Betway Premiership campaigns combined, he has managed just two goals.
For a player whose talent has never really been questioned, the challenge has been turning that potential into sustained availability and consistent end product.
Chiefs must decide what comes next
Ngcobo’s return gives Chiefs another midfield option, but it also puts the club in a position where they must assess whether continuing to invest in the 31? Wait, age isn’t provided. Need not add. player makes sense.
The midfielder remains a technically gifted option, but recurring injuries have prevented him from building the kind of consistency that could make him indispensable.
That leaves Chiefs with a potentially important decision regarding his longer-term future.
What about Thembinkosi Lorch?
Chiefs have also been linked with a move for Thembinkosi Lorch, but that potential transfer comes with its own concerns.
Lorch has experienced significant injury problems during his career. In the 2022/23 campaign, he made only 12 league appearances, while he featured just 15 times in the league the season before.
That history makes a potential move a risk, particularly for a Chiefs side that already has experience dealing with the consequences of relying on injury-prone attacking players.
Rather than simply adding another big name, Chiefs may need to prioritise availability, consistency and end product when deciding how to strengthen their squad.
For Ngcobo, meanwhile, the message is clear: being fit again is only the first step. He now needs a sustained run of games to demonstrate that he can become a reliable part of Chiefs’ plans.
