Siyabonga Ngezana has been given appropriate advice about what his move to Romanian giants FCSB – formerly Steaua Bucuresti – really means in relation to his career.
Ngezana has joined FCSB on a five-year deal after the Romanian tabled a big money offer for the towering defender who will now feature in the UEFA Conference League qualifiers next season.
READ | Chiefs star completes move to Europe!
FCSB have been domestic champions on 26 occasions and were European Cup (UEFA Champions League) winners in 1986.
"Going to Steaua Bucuresti (FCSB) is a big step for him considering the size of the club and all the success that they enjoy in Romania where they are the dominant club along with my former club Dimano Bucuresti," May Mahlangu tells KickOff.
Mahlangu spent three years at Dinamo as recent as 2016-19 and played in the eternal derby pitting the two clubs.
"These are the two clubs that are always competing in European competitions which provides a window of opportunity to be seen by other clubs in Europe especially Italy, Germany and in Saudi Arabia.
"This is a good stage for him because Romania is a country that has given the world players as Gheorghe Hagi, Cristian Chivu, and Adrian Mutu.
"So, there is history, and their football is always growing," says Mahlangu.
"However, the trouble with fans in Romania is that they are so passionate about their football that if you make mistakes as a foreign player then you will feel the heat.
"What you need to always remember is that you are not going there as a Romanian and if you don't function then it is over for you.
"It is like here in South Africa where we are always quick to point fingers at foreign players who are not functioning and always want to look at a local option who can do better for the benefit of the national team.
"I don't know what position he will play there but he should know that those fans are not patient.
"Once that happens then next thing you are loaned out or your contract is cancelled.
"They don't have patience and it is even worse with the team that he is going to.
"Those fans don't know about players adjusting and building.
"Once you are there then you must deliver because that is what fans expect.
"As someone who played there for three years, I know how fast the football played there is, and I know the standard is good.
"The young man is going to a league that will benefit his growth in the game and expose him to things that he will never experience here in South Africa.
"It is sad that we have people who don't know the league talking as they please yet football is improving the whole over.
"You need to have been in Romania and played there to understand the standard of the game there.
"In terms of support base, Steaua (FCSB) is like (Orlando Pirates) but they have achieved a lot more than Dinamo who are as popular as Kaizer Chiefs in Romania.
"With Steaua, they play at the Arena National which provides a great facility especially when it is derby day.
"I was called to the national team by Shakes Mashaba while playing for Dinamo.
"Let us respect the league where Siya is going because he will grow by challenging himself in a different league and seeing things.
"Through playing in Romania, he will become an asset for Bafana because he will come in having experienced Europe and learnt a lot of new things.
"We need to understand the need to have our players going out to play in Europe because it opens you to what you will never know of here in South Africa," says Mahlangu.
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