Anele Ngcongca explains contract delay

18 February 2020 - 05:54
By Sihle Ndebele
Anele Ngcongca of Mamelodi Sundowns /Lefty Shivambu / Gallo Images
Anele Ngcongca of Mamelodi Sundowns /Lefty Shivambu / Gallo Images

Veteran Mamelodi Sundowns defender Anele Ngcongca has disclosed he's yet to agree to a new contract with the club as the Brazilians aim to offer him only a year's extension, while he hankers for two or more years.

Ngcongca, 32, has four months left on his current Sundowns contract. The erstwhile Bafana Bafana right-back is holding out for his deal to be prolonged by not fewer than two years.

"My agent [Mike Makaab] is busy [negotiating] with Sundowns. To be honest, [the disagreement] is not about money. I can say that it's the number of years we're not agreeing on, I want two and at the moment they've given me one," Ngcongca told Sowetan.

"In Belgium, I played nine seasons for one team [KRC Genk] and when I performed well my contract was extended every time after six months. here [at Sundowns] it's different. I want to secure my future."

Ngcongca, who also turned out for French side Troyes, further suggested a return to Europe was a possibility as well, should Sundowns end up not giving him the two years he wishes for.

"Look, I am experienced enough, if we don't come to the agreement I will see what I'll do. At the moment I am focused on finishing the season, we will take it from there," said Ngcongca, who boasts 94 Downs appearances since joining in 2016.

"I have a great relationship in Europe and I am still in touch with many people there, especially those who're involved in coaching. But at this moment, I am fully focused on the job at hand, that's helping Sundowns win games."

The lad from Cape Town is sidelined by a groin injury, meaning prodigy Nicholus Lukhubeni, who scored the first goal in their 3-0 win over Chippa United at the weekend, is the only fit right-back after Thapelo Morena suffered a season-ending ankle injury a fortnight ago.

Lukhubeni is expected to keep his berth in the starting XI when Sundowns host Bloemfontein Celtic in a league match at Loftus Versfeld tomorrow (7.30pm). Ngcongca has tipped the 23-year-old wing-back to go places.

"... I don't think it's a problem because Nicho [Lukhubeni] is capable of helping the team."