With reported Kaizer Chiefs target Fabrice Ngoma recently joining Al Hilal, head coach of the Sudanese giants Florent Ibenge has revealed why he signed the Congolese.
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At the beginning of the season, Ngoma had just been let go by Moroccan outfit Raja Casablanca and was linked with many of the Africa's biggest sides. The Glamour Boys were among a number of clubs interested in the 29-year-old but ultimately the defensive midfielder decided to rejoin his former head coach in Omdurman.
Ibenge and Ngoma were together while at AS Vita, while they also worked together for the Democratic Republic Congo national team. The 61-year-old insists that the midfielder has the necessary experience for them to win.
"Of course, Fabrice Ngoma is my boy. I've known him since (AS) Vita and I coached him for three years. I coached him in the national team before he went to Raja as well," Ibenge said ahead of his side's CAF Champions League encounter against Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld.
"He has nothing to prove and I needed him in the middle of the park because of his experience.
"Unfortunately he has been injured but in all the games he has played for us he has been so wonderful."
The Congolese tactician will be looking to overcome Mamelodi Sundowns for the first time in South Africa but will be coming up against a side which has won its last nine consecutive games in all competitions.
Star of The Blue Wave, Gerald Phiri, made it known that he and his teammates were not eager on losing a third consecutive game to the Pretoria side, having lost both group encounters .
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"It's always a pleasure to be in the [CAF] Champions League. We were here last season as well and didn't do well so I think this time around we have to do well," the Malawi international told members of the media.
"The coach said we cannot allow them to beat us three times, so I think this is a do or die for us.
"But at the end of the day, it is a football game. So we're just here for positive results."
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