FCSB defender Siyabonga Ngezana admits Elias Charalambous has been a major influence at the Romania Superliga giants since his arrival.
Ngezana, 27, has been one of the standout players in the division since his off-season switch from Kaizer Chiefs and has been the subject of interest from FC Lorient in France.
It comes as no surprise as he’s become an ever-present figure in defence of the league leaders but the presence of head coach Charalambous has undoubtedly played a key role.
The Cypriot legend was born in East London and has a South African father, who has helped Ngezana settle in quickly into his new surroundings.
“Yes I know [he is South African], I was amazed, he was the first guy who tried to make me feel at home, he shared some stories about South Africa – his father is from the Eastern Cape,” Ngezana told iDiski Times in Edition 135.
“No [he doesn’t speak Afrikaans], only English but some Xhosa also, he would talk to me in Xhosa and I would understand him, he was the only guy I understood much better because of his South African roots. He made me feel comfortable when he spoke Xhosa.”
Ngezana has returned to South Africa for the winter break as he awaits the final 23-man Bafana Bafana squad heading to the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
