To Honour Anele Ngcongca, Let’s Help the Next Gen Walk In His Shoes

Despite being one of South Africa’s most accomplished footballers of all time, Anele Ngcongca struck me as somebody who took pride in the achievements of those around him every bit as much as his own.

As we mourn a selfless servant of the game, one way for South Africa to honour his legacy would be to develop players who can venture into Europe and succeed as he did. I have no doubt that it would have brought him genuine joy watching young men and women benefit from the path to success which he helped pave.

My Testimony

I only once had the pleasure of an interview with Ngcongca — while I was in the process of compiling a story celebrating the 10-year anniversary of kick-off in the 2010 FIFA World Cup for ESPN.

We discussed his superb performance against France at that tournament in South Africa’s famous 2-1 victory. It was no surprise to hear him describe that as his most cherished career memory, nor was it a shock when he spoke about former Genk teammates Christian Benteke, Thibaut Courtois and Kevin de Bruyne with pride. Ngcongca told me that when de Bruyne was breaking through at Genk, he helped protect him from senior players.

None of this was a surprise to me because I knew Ngcongca the footballer very well. I had watched his career with great pride as he lined up alongside and against world-beaters and delivered consistently. Of course he would be proud of the big names he played alongside and the major matches he played in, and I am sure the questions about them were all too easy to answer.

Gone but not forgotten !!! #AneleNgcongca ❤️ pic.twitter.com/NieXmmuVk0

— Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) December 2, 2020

However, when I asked him a more difficult question, whether or not he ever felt a sense, watching the likes of de Bruyne and co., that he could have gone a step further in his own career, I finally caught a glimpse of just who Anele Ngcongca was as a man.

“Wow, good question, bro,” he said. Already, I was surprised by the friendly tone in the face of a challenging question. 

“I look at the players I played with and it makes me proud that I also contributed in the success first. I think it could have worked for me if I was not too comfortable in Belgium ’cause in Genk I was treated like a rockstar,” he continued. “To be honest, I had teams from Turkey who wanted me and I kept signing contracts in Genk ’cause I was comfortable where I was, bro. 

“To be honest, I regret that. I won’t want young players to feel comfortable where they are ’cause you miss out on the other side of the world, but all in all I enjoyed my football — the most important thing.”

Today we will pay our last respects and show our great appreciation to our club legend Anele Ngcongca.

Forever Genkie. Forever our number 16. Forever in our ?#krcgenk #mijnploeg pic.twitter.com/itgnYKH54i

— KRC Genk (@KRCGenkofficial) December 6, 2020

If not a defensive response to my question, I had expected a generic one. Ngcongca, however, was above ordinary as a footballer — and, I gathered from our brief interaction — as a man. In an industry obsessed with individual superstars, he was most interested in having a good time and contributing to the success of his teammates.

When it came to his regrets and his advice for the next generation, however, he did not hold back. From what I have gathered from those who knew him better than I did, it was not unusual at all for him to be so honest and forthcoming.

The Next Generation

I have been left pondering what he said to me ever since his passing. I have decided that as much as I am certain there are many facets of Anele Ngcongca, the man, which I never got to know in the limited time I had to speak to him, I feel confident saying that one way we can honour him that would have made him proud would be helping young South African footballers follow in his footsteps and maybe even surpass him.

For administrators and coaches, that means investing money and attention into youth development, while for supporters, agents and journalists, that means recognising, uplifting and encouraging our most talented players.

After Ngcongca passed on, Courtois wrote on Twitter: “Sad to hear former Genkie Anele is no longer with us. Being one of the most enthusiastic players I have ever met, I’ll always remember your smile and will carry your positive mindset with me. We’ll miss you deeply, my friend. My thoughts go out to your family.”

If our legend could inspire a goalkeeper of that stature, then we, too, should be inspired.