City Sign Ngobeni Amidst League Status Uncertainty
Cape Town City has confirmed the signing of left-back Sifiso Ngobeni, but the team’s participation in either the Motsepe Foundation Championship or the Betway Premiership next season is currently undecided.
Ngobeni joins the club on a free transfer after being released by Mamelodi Sundowns during the off-season. He had returned to Sundowns following an unproductive two-season loan spell with AmaZulu last term.
During his time with the Durban-based side, the Mamelodi-born defender struggled to displace Riaan Hanamub, featuring in only 13 matches across all competitions.
Considering Sundowns’ high standards, Ngobeni’s performance didn’t meet their expectations, and the club decided to part ways with him.
The 28-year-old had originally joined Sundowns from Bloemfontein Celtic at the start of the 2021/22 season, going on to win three league titles. However, he also struggled to secure regular playing time with Sundowns and was loaned to SuperSport United for the second half of his first season with the club.
The uncertainty surrounding City’s league status is tied to their ongoing dispute with the Premier Soccer League (PSL). City is contesting a PSL ruling concerning Marumo Gallants, who were fined financially but not docked points for fielding an ineligible player, Monde Mphambaniso, last season.
Gallants had purchased Moroka Swallows’ status to compete in the PSL top flight, while Mphambaniso was supposed to have transferred to Leruma United, who had acquired Gallants’ National First Division (NFD) status.
After a South African Football Association (SAFA) arbitration ordered the PSL to rule on the matter, the PSL’s Disciplinary Committee (DC) decided on a fine instead of a points deduction.
City argues that Gallants should have points deducted, which would result in City being reinstated to the top flight. City has now taken the matter back to SAFA for further arbitration.
