Mamelodi Sundowns defender Anele Ngcongca has revealed he opted for the better financial package offered by Downs instead of joining Kaizer Chiefs when he left top Belgian club KRC Genk, adding that football is a business.

The defender enjoyed a trophy-laden nine years in Belgium where he won the Belgian Pro League, two Belgian Cups and Super Cup with the Smurfs before he decided to return to South Africa in 2016.

Ngcongca told City Press that while he was earning good money and enjoying his time at Genk, he decided to leave after he had a fallout with his former coach, Peter Maes.

‘That thing is there – racism is alive and we can’t hide it. I have experienced it from my own coach at Genk, Peter Maes,’ Ngcongca said.

‘He led to my departure at the club [in 2016]. The incident that got me upset was during pre-season training when I got kicked badly on my ankle in a friendly game and he said: “I thought Africans were strong.”

‘I was like: “You say an African can be knocked down by a car and just stand up?” Our fallout was a big story in the media in Belgium,’ he explained.

‘Honestly, Genk were giving me good money and I did not intend to leave the club. But I had no choice because of the attitude and disrespect of this coach.

“I was sent on loan to France [at Troyes AC] and when I came back, Maes was still there,’ the Bafana Bafana international said.

‘But I had already made up my mind [about leaving] after a call from coach Pitso [Mosimane], who was interested in me joining Sundowns. I had also spoken to Chiefs before the call from Sundowns.

‘Yes, I spoke to Bobby [Motaung], but in the end I opted for a better offer. I am sorry if I let Chiefs down, but football is a business.’

Ngcongca’s spell with Sundowns has been successful, helping the team clinch five major trophies including two PSL titles and a Caf Champions League trophy.