Kaizer Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane has admitted that Siyabonga Ngezana "was not himself" following mistakes made by the defender against Mamelodi Sundowns at the start of the season.
With ever-present defender Zitha Kwinika suspended for an accumulation of bookings, Ngezana returned to the Kaizer Chiefs starting XI for the first time since August on Sunday for the club's 3-1 DStv Premiership win over Stellenbosch FC.
The 25-year-old had previously garnered criticism for his performances during the early stages of the season, including a high-profile error against Mamelodi Sundowns, but marked his return to the fold with an assured performance in Cape Town.
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"Siya is a top player for me," Chiefs head coach Arthur Zwane said. "Yes, football is a game of mistakes and unfortunately he made a mistake in a Category A game against Mamelodi Sundowns and after that game he was not himself.
"We had to work on him, we had to build him. He's a top player, no doubt about it, and that is why today, when you look at the character he showed, he gave us that balance.
"He's a fighter, he's good in 1-v-1 situations, he's a good header of the ball and he was solid today. I'm proud of him and I'm also happy to see him being so solid for the entire 90 minutes."
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