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By Sibongiseni Gumbi

Football Writer


Mathoho welcomes Ngezana competition

Kaizer Chiefs defender Erick Mathoho has admitted that Siyabonga Ngezana's performance against Stellenbosch FC will make it hard for him to return to the team.


He says it is now up to coach Ernst Middendorp to decide who gets to start when they host Bloemfontein Celtic at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday night.

READ: Ex-Bafana coach Igesund backs Chiefs to win league title

“I felt Siyabonga Ngezana had a really good game against Stellenbosch,” Mathoho told the club’s website.

“Now it’s the coach’s decision as to who will start. I was very impressed by him and the way he played scoring a goal and his overall performance, I must compliment him as a young player, he did very well,” he added.

Mathoho was sent off in the Absa Premiership Soweto derby match against Orlando Pirates after he pushed Ntuthuko Mabaso during a scuffle late in the game. He was dearly missed by Amakhosi in their first game without him as Ngezana was also away on national duty with the SA Under 23s.

Chiefs played with a makeshift defence against Maritzburg United in a Telkom Knockout semifinals match with left back Yagan Sasman filling in for Mathoho. Amakhosi lived to regret Mathoho’s absence as they lost the match 2-1 but the score could have been more embarrassing were it not for brave saves by Bruce Bvuma.

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