Ngobeni, who says he is currently in pain owing to a toe injury that he sustained recently, says he was not expecting the call-up because of his injury.
‘Robot’, as the 20-year-old midfielder is fondly known, was named in a 21-man team that is scheduled to lock horns with Denmark next week.
_quoteThe diminutive midfielder has ruled out of action for the remainder of the 2007/08 season.
“Honestly, I was surprised when I got the information that I had been named in the team,” says the Johannesburg born player.
“Obviously, the only logical option open to Safa is to withdraw me from the squad because I am carrying an injury and there is no way I will be able to play at any time soon.”
A succession of injuries has slowed down Ngobeni’s progress this season. No sooner had he recovered from a leg injury which cost him selection to the Bafana Bafana squad doing duty at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana, then he broke his toe in a League match towards the beginning of the festive recess.
Amaglug-glug will play two friendly matches against Denmark’s Under-23’s ahead of their trip to Nigeria in March, which will bring the curtains down on coach Steve Komphela’s abortive mission to qualify for this year’s Beijing Olympic Games.
Nigeria goes to the match needing a positive result to qualify. If the South Africans hold the West Africans, Ghana will sneak through to the Olympics.
