Anele Ngcongca internview
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One of the stand-out players for Bafana Bafana in recent times has been young right-back ANELE NGCONGCA, who at just 22 years old is making quite a name for himself for at Belgian side KRC Genk.
He looks to be a future star in the fullback position for his country, but he actually started life much further up the pitch, ad a playmaker behind the strikers!
You came through the ranks at former First Division club FC Fortune. How were you first spotted?
I was from Gugulethu, but Colin Gie identified me and put me into schooling at Simonstown School along with other players under his wing. I played for Cape United when Colin bought out Quinton Fortune's shares and renamed the club from FC Fortune. Colin groomed me in the senior team from the age of 15 and took me on several training camps to Europe through my teams. I owe him a lot.
You went on trials at English Premiership Arsenal in 2006, tell us about that.
Colin took me for a 10-day training camp at Arsenal as he knew that my favourite team in the world is The Gunners! I trained with [coach] Arsene Wenger’s first team along with Thierry Henry, who even took me to his house, Dennis Bergkamp, Robert Pires and all the superstars they had there. Theo Walcott had just joined the club and we got on really well. Mr Wenger sent Colin a fantastic report on my test, something that I will cherish all my life. Hopefully one day I can return to Arsenal as a signed player. That is a dream of mine
You are playing right-back at Genk, but also played in midfield at Cape United. Which do you feel is your best role?
I will play wherever I am picked provided that I am doing the job for the team. My favourite player is Patrick Vieira and I enjoy scoring and creating goals. That comes naturally to me, but it’s all about what the team needs, that is the most important thing. I guess the fact that Vieira is my idol tells you a lot about the type of player I hope to be one day. He is a great leader, has such good composure and was the real heart of that Arsenal side while he was there.
How have you settled to life in Belgium?
Belgium is wonderful country with such friendly people. I am blessed to be here and it is a great environment for a young player like myself. I have everything I could want here and I am looked after very well by the club. There are also other South Africans playing here like Elrio [van Heerden], Asanda [Sishuba] and Masilo [Modubi], which is nice.
What are your short-term goals?
My immediate future is at Genk. As I said, this is a great environment for me. I just need to keep developing, play well and try win trophies with this club. After that we will see what happens.
As you did not play in the PSL before moving abroad, tell us what you consider to be your best three attributes as a player.
I would say I have good ball control, vision, mobility and balance.
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