Clifford Ngobeni has explained his absence from the starting line-up in recent league games.

Ngobeni explains setback

Ngobeni explains setback in form

Posted: 7 October 2008 Time: 11:29 am

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Ajax Cape Town’s Clifford Ngobeni has explained his absence from the Urban Warrior starting line-up in recent league games.

The midfielder says this is due to the untimely death of his grandmother which, he says, has caused his form to take a knock.

_quote The setback is one of several to hit the Bafana Bafana player in recent months; the other being injury and failed trials in Europe.

“It has been a hectic period for me following the passing of my grandmother whom I was very close to. That is why I have not featured much recently. This has had a negative impact on me.

“In the last game (a 2-0 win over Bloemfontein Celtic), I did not make it to the selection team either,” the player says solemnly.

Ngobeni, however, says he finds solace in the fact that, save for the hiccup against Chiefs, the team is playing well.

The Urban Warriors are lying sixth in the 16-team log with seven points, three points off joint leaders Supersport United and Bidvest Wits.

Ngobeni had a forgettable 2007/08 season.

A botched injury aimed at repairing his toe saw him lose his place in the Bafana squad to the Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana earlier this year.

His woes worsened when a knee injury led to the premature end to the season as Ajax lost out to SuperSport United in the league race at the finishing line.

A trial stint at Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam also did not yield the desired results.

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Anonymous
posted: 11:59 am
It is such a pity that one of the best S.A midfielders in the country's progress if hampered with things that are not soccer related & injuries. I still maintain that Clifford overshadows any player in S.A midfield when he is on song - unstopable. Even the likes of Moriri, Nyandora, Tenashe, Sibeko, Mathebula, Tshutsalupa, Melunga etc must stand back and watch when he makes his return. Eish, die poppe gaan dans
Anonymous
posted: 12:07 pm
This is a very clean tidy player..
He really sticks to the basics...
Howeva his small frame leaves much to be desired especially for his prefered central holding midfield position...If he want to progress in football he needs to come join Orlando Pirates..I don't think he will remove Shumana and Tshabalala in the Ajax midfield..
Anonymous
posted: 01:33 pm
Ag poor Clifford,i dont buy it.

Though sorry for ur loss, but u r not the1st one to loose a mother,so please stop giving excuses & pick urself up & prove that u r not a fluke.

SA players like blaming other things than themselves for their failures.
Anonymous
posted: 03:26 pm
Heres a leaugue to join for those who are interested.
League name: Mzantsi's Legends
League code: 20387924754358
Anonymous
posted: 04:57 pm
We must admit that the boy has lost some form. This exactly what is happening to Khune and Teko. Remember that we only saw him on 1 season where he played wel, though the injury played it's role, but let's give the boy 2 more seasons and then declare him as a best midfielder in S.A. We only saw Khune for 1 season and we declared him a best goal keeper in the country, but look at his perfomance now, same applies to Teko, even to this boy. We all know that here in S.A we have a problem of players becoming the best in another season and then the next season they take a setback. Look at Diyo Sibisi, Siyabonga Nkosi, Walaza, Merahe the list is endless. SO let's give this boy a chance, but he has proved what he is capable of, but now we want continuity on what we saw 2 seasons back. Prove yourself boy, i know you have that ability!
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