Mamelodi Sundowns defender Sifiso Ngobeni has reflected on the past season and opened up about the triumphs and challenges he faced throughout the 2022-23 season.

The 26-year-old spent the 2021-22 season on loan at SuperSport United where he made nine appearances for the Tshwane giants.

However, he was recalled from his loan spell and featured 14 times for the Brazilians as they went on to win their sixth straight DStv Premiership title and helped them reach the Caf Champions League semi-finals.

Ngobeni admits that this past season was his growth and development as a person as well as a team player.

“My season was all about growth, I was on loan to SuperSport United and then I was called back to the team, for me it was all about growth and learning and getting game time,” Ngobeni told his club’s official website.

“It was hard from day one because after signing for Mamelodi Sundowns you know that you have to bring the big trophy home, it has been 8 years since we won the trophy but this season we were almost there, but it was very hard.

“We have to continue doing what we are doing, first of all the love we have for one another, the brotherhood we have for one another and also the Coach keeps telling us that we need to be good human beings.

“It feels good to be a champion, it’s a feeling that I didn’t expect and it’s something that I don’t even have words to describe, but it’s a good feeling.”

Ngobeni went on to praise his teammates and coaches for the support they have shown him throughout the season.

“For me brotherhood is very important because we are helping each other, everyone is working towards one common goal and for us to achieve that goal everyone has to be in the right space,” he added.

“We need to support each other and there has to be no jealousy as to who is playing and who isn’t.

“For me it’s very good that we love one another and that’s the biggest thing that will also help us in the next season to continue being brothers, to continue helping each other because you can even go to a senior player for advice because they’ve been there before, they have the experience and you can speak to them.”

Photo by Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix