Kaizer Chiefs defender Siyabonga Ngezana says he is pleased to have returned to action after his season was hampered by a long-term injury.

The 24-year-old has only managed to feature twice for Amakhosi this campaign and has been out of action since June this year.

Ngezana made his long-awaited return to the field when he was thrust into the starting line-up during Amakhosi’s 2-0 win against Sekhukhune United in the DStv Premiership over the weekend.

However, Ngezana was delighted to have gotten some much needed game time under his belt and felt like the Covid-19 outbreak within the Amakhosi camp was a blessing in disguise as he was named in the starting lineup on his return.

“It feels great to be back in the first eleven, I am grateful to be back. I knew that getting back into the team wouldn’t be easy, because the level of competition in the squad is very high. There is someone already occupying the space, so I knew I had to work hard,” Ngezana told his club’s official website.

“It was the first time in my career I was out of so long. I look at it as a blessing in disguise. I learnt a lot and discovered many things in this time. Having to stay indoors was frustrating. You are not used to the situation and not doing anything was challenging.

“I kept busy by continuing my studies. It did not mean that if I was injured I could not do anything at all. I was studying and learning a lot about myself. I was also thinking about what life without football could be like,” Ngezana added.

“As a player, I realised I needed to leave a mark so that people can remember me. Not just playing but playing to be remembered. Whenever I get an opportunity, I need to ensure I do my best so that people remember the name on the back of my jersey.

“Playing my first 90 minutes and helping the team keep a clean sheet was exciting. Because of the situation with Covid in the camp, I pushed myself to be ready. I was not hundred percent and I had to condition my mind to believe that I could play and that’s what I did,” concluded Ngezana.