Hugo Broos World Cup blow? Bafana defender undergoes surgery after knee injury

Bafana Bafana defender Siyabonga Ngezana has undergone surgery for a meniscus injury, FCSB head coach Mihai Stoica has confirmed.

The defender is expected to be out of action for approximately six weeks, and will be back in action in time to make the squad for the 2026 World Cup. The defender will be in line to make a return in April, two months before the World Cup.

The injury occurred during the warm-up for FCSB’s Liga 1 match against Botoșani in the Romanian league. Ngezana reportedly felt discomfort in his knee and collapsed, leading to his immediate withdrawal from the starting lineup.

FCSB coach discloses Ngezana’s setback

An subsequent MRI scan revealed damage to his meniscus, necessitating the surgical procedure. The timeline for his recovery suggests he will likely return to training in April.

Speaking to Romanian outlet Fanatik, Stoica explained that the injury might account for the defender’s recent dip in performance.

“Ngezana will undergo surgery,” Stoica stated. “I think he will be out for about six weeks. He has a meniscus injury. Now it is explained. It is incomprehensible that he, probably thinking about the national team, forced himself and played like that, not at the level he used to.”

Bafana defender’s form worrisome

The coach added that the club had been puzzled by the player’s form, but the diagnosis has provided clarity.

“We didn’t understand why such a valuable player would have such a steep decline, but he was injured and playing with problems. At least now the mystery has been solved,” he concluded.

Ngezana was a pivotal figure in FCSB’s league title victories in the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons. However, he has struggled to find his best form this campaign, with the club currently sitting in eighth place in the league standings.