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Anele Ngcongca (Gallo Images)
- Mamelodi Sundowns defender Wayne Arendse paid tribute to his former teammate Anele Ngcongca, who died in a car accident Monday.
- The 33-year-old was to be featured as AmaZulu’s latest signing.
- Arendse reveals the fun times she had with Ngcongca, with whom she occasionally shared a room during away games and preseason camps.
Sundowns Mamelodi defender Wayne Arendse has opened up to his relationship with former teammate Anele Ngcongca after the 33-year-old was tragically killed in a car accident Monday morning.
READ | SAFPU pays tribute to Ngcongca: ‘Anele has always been a man of his word’
Former Bafana defender Bafana was scheduled to be featured as AmaZulu’s latest signing in the next few days before the transfer window deadline.
Talking to Sport24 Exclusively, Arendse said that Ngcongca’s sudden passing was a shocking revelation.
“Obviously a good guy, he showed it on the pitch also with his professionalism. The experience he brought from Europe too … always good times and laughs, special moments,” said Arendse.
“When I found out about his passing this morning, I was quite sad because we both had a chat on WhatsApp during the week about his move to AmaZulu and all that stuff.
“I asked him how things were on that side and he said, ‘It’s nice’ and that he’s adjusting well. I’m quite sad, hopefully he’s in a better place now and condolences to his family.”
Ironically, less than 24 hours before Ngcongca’s passing, Sundowns beat AmaZulu 4-3 in a Premiership clash on Sunday.
Arendse reveals that he asked Ngcongca if he will perform against his former team at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
READ ALSO | SAFA President Danny Jordaan: ‘Anele’s Passing Sums Up This Terrible Year’
“He was excited. It was a new chapter for him with a new club, he was eager to join a new team,” Arendse continued.
“I even asked him if he will play this weekend against the Sundowns. It would have been nice to see him. He also showed me where he was staying.”
Ngcongca began his career at FC Fortune before being drawn overseas to Belgium, where he joined Genk for nine years, appearing more than 200 times for the club.
In 2016, the defender signed for Masandawana and won five major titles: three Premierships crowns (2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20), the Nedbank Cup (2019/20) and a Telkom Knockout title in 2019.
He was ready to join AmaZulu on loan for the 2020/21 season.
“When he first came to Sundowns, I knew he was from Cape Town,” recalls Arendse.
“He knew a lot of people here, he settled in pretty well. His overall experience with us here at Sundowns was unforgettable.
“We were roommates at one point too and I know Anele was one of those guys who leaves the television on when he tries to sleep. That was him again, when you want to sleep, turn on the television,” laughs Arendse.
“He was always funny and laughed (with Anele). He was a good guy overall in the locker room and obviously his leadership as well because he was part of the leadership group at Sundowns.
“Just a very nice guy,” Arendse concludes.
