Ngobeni relishing Africa campaign with FS Stars

Cape Town - Thela Ngobeni has given a hint that he is happy to remain with Free State Stars going into the new season, saying he wants to play in Africa with the club.

Over the weekend, Stars secured a place in next year’s CAF Confederations Cup after beating Maritzburg United 1-0 to win the Nedbank Cup.

Ngobeni has for the second successive year joined Ea Lla Koto on a loan move from Mamelodi Sundowns and stated that he is prepared to extend his stay with the Free State-based outfit in order to play in the continental competition.

Ngobeni has this season been the second choice to Badra Sangare at Ea Lla Koto and played mostly in the cup competitions.

Ngobeni told Supersport: "All the glory goes to the Almighty. I think for me, I will never forget this moment to be honest.

"Winning this trophy with Stars, it will forever stay in my memory room. I’m grateful to the chairman and also the whole management for giving me an opportunity to play and be part of the team. I’m grateful for that.

"I will always do my best if they give me a chance and also to the guys. They did very well. It was not an individual effort. We played very well as a team and we all deserve credit.

"It is very important I think to stay grounded and also focus on the main goal. Always keep the vision clear, make sure you are always on the right state of mind to play if you are given an opportunity.

"So I think that’s what I have been doing and I have been trying my best to obviously push all the other goalkeepers that I have been third or fourth choice to, but for me this was an opportunity to enjoy myself and that’s what I did.

"The rest I will see along the road, but I want to play in Africa."