STARTING the 2026-2027 Betway Premiership season under the new coach, Fernando Da Cruz, is like a rebirth for Nkosingiphile “Mshini” Ngcobo who is one of the Kaizer Chiefs players whose future was unclear.
Ngcobo, who played for Chiefs 16 times in all competitions last season, scored one goal, and joined the list of players of this Naturena team whose contract should have expired last month but was extended for another year.
Others include Sibongiseni Mthethwa, Reeve Frosler, Dillan Solomons and Bruce Bvuma.
This player, who has had hopes for the future of the Kings in previous seasons, had traveled with Chiefs to Spain to prepare for the start of the new Betway Premiership season.
The Chiefs will play the last game to prepare for the start of the new season on Sunday. It will face Scottland FC from Zimbabwe in the Toyota Cup at 3.30 at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace, Rustenburg.
Ngcobo told the Chiefs media team that he feels like he has been reborn as the new season begins.
“It is always my desire to do better than last season when the new one starts. Therefore, this time I am fit and ready to face the challenges ahead,” said Ngcobo.
“The most important thing as we plan to start the season is to put all the effort into everything that is done so that you don’t fall behind others.
“Since we have a new coach, everyone has the same opportunity. So not only me but all of us have raised the level since returning to work.
“The team is the most important, but in order to succeed in helping them, I have to work hard even if I am alone.”
Although the results usually go against Chiefs in the Toyota Cup, Ngcobo hopes that they will get a different result this time. Last season, Chiefs were knocked down by Asante Kotoko from Ghana.
“Toyota Cup games are always difficult for us because we are still putting things together, but it’s also fun because these games show the level we are at.
“This time it will be very good because we are facing a team with players we know like Khama (Billiat) and Knowledge (Musona). Therefore, it will be a big day for the fans and that is why it is important that they come out in large numbers on Sunday,” said Ngcobo.