Bafana Bafana defender returns to fitness but is it too late for the 2026 World Cup?

Siyabonga Ngezana was back in action for Steaua Bucharest this week

Bafana Bafana centre-back Siyabonga Ngezana is fit again after a lengthy three-month battle with injury and is now in a race against time to persuade coach Hugo Broos that he will be match fit for the 2026 World Cup.

The former Kaizer Chiefs defender established himself as the first-choice partner for Mbekezeli Mbokazi in the centre of the defence, but had been laid low by a knee injury since the end of January.

He missed the two friendlies with Panama in March and Broos was unsure at that time if he would be fit in time for the World Cup, or able to prove his fitness with the required minutes.

But he came on as a substitute on Monday for his Romanian side Steaua Bucharest as they bid for a place in European club competition next season.

Ngezana had last played for FCSB when they drew 1-1 at home against Turkish giants Fenerbah7e in late January.

Siyabonga Ngezana

On Monday, he came on for the last 12 minutes of a 3-2 away win over Farul Constantia.

The result keeps FCSB at the top of the relegation group standings in the Romanian league and in line for a possible place in next season’s Europa Conference League.

After the end of the 30-match regular-season programme, the top six in the Romanian league go into a playoff to decide the title.

FCSB finished in seventh place and so missed out on the championship playoffs, but head the relegation playoff table, where, if they finish top, they will go into a playoff for a place in European club competition next season.

FCSB won the last two Romanian championships, with Ngezana a regular in both seasons, and were in the Champions League this season before dropping down to the Europa League, but the 2025/26 season has proved a disappointment for Ngezana and his teammates.