Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp insists young defender Siyabonga Ngezana will not be leaving the club this window despite reported interest in his services.

The central defender has reportedly been targeted by some of Chiefs’ PSL rivals, including Mamelodi Sundowns, with Ngezana struggling to break into the team ahead of the established Daniel Cardoso and Eric Mathoho.

The German coach insisted though, speaking to the media, that Ngezana is in the long-term plans of the club.

‘I need to be smart. Sometimes something is written and there is no true story behind it,’ Middendorp responded when asked about reports linking the defender with a move away from Naturena.

‘I am very happy with him [Ngezana]. We found him in a way where he was committing a lot of fouls, then he was a crucial part of the Olympic qualification and that took him out after he played in Port Elizabeth.

‘He played in other games – his biggest advantage is that age is on his side. It’s very crucial now because we have players of a similar age like Happy [Mashiane], [Nkosingiphile] Ngcobo and Njabulo [Blom], who have also been playing in the MDC. For me it is very much clear that Ngezana is in the plans of Kaizer Chiefs and is contracted, not for millions, but he is part of our plans going forward,’ concluded Middendorp.