Abednigo Ngcobo facts for kids
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Abednigo Valdez Ngcobo | ||
| Date of birth | 10 May 1950 | ||
| Place of birth | Cato Manor, Durban | ||
| Date of death | 1 November 2014 (aged 64) | ||
| Place of death | Alexandra, Gauteng | ||
| Playing position | Striker | ||
| Youth career | |||
| African Bush Rangers | |||
| Rand Koreans | |||
| 1969 | Union Jacks | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1970 | Zulu Royals | ? | (?) |
| 1971 | African Wanderers | 20 | (11) |
| 1972–1985 | Kaizer Chiefs | 260 | (158) |
| 1975–1976 | Denver Dynamos | 3 | (0) |
| 1976–1980 | Minnesota Kicks | 20 | (5) |
| 1980–1981 | Penarol | 15 | (18) |
| Total | 318 | (192) | |
|
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Abednigo Valdez "Shaka" Ngcobo (born 10 May 1950 – died 1 November 2014) was a famous South African soccer player. He played as a striker for many teams. These included Kaizer Chiefs in South Africa, and also Denver Dynamos and Minnesota Kicks in the United States. He even played for Penarol in Uruguay.
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Playing for Soccer Clubs
Abednigo Ngcobo was born in Cato Manor, near Durban, South Africa. He started playing amateur soccer when he was young. His first teams were African Bush Rangers, Rand Koreans, and Union Jacks.
In 1970, he joined Zulu Royals. The next year, 1971, he played for African Wanderers. Both teams were part of the new NPSL. This was a special league for black players in South Africa.
Joining Kaizer Chiefs
In 1972, Ngcobo played a friendly match against Kaizer Chiefs. He scored 6 goals in that game! Because of this amazing performance, Kaizer Chiefs recruited him. He became a key player for them.
In 1974, he helped Kaizer Chiefs win their first ever league title. They also won the BP Top 8 cup that year. In one game, he scored three goals against Moroka Swallows, helping his team win 7–1.
Playing in the USA and Uruguay
In 1975, Ngcobo moved to the Denver Dynamos in the United States. He played alongside other South African stars like Kaizer Motaung and Patrick Ntsoelengoe. The next year, 1976, he and Ntsoelengoe joined another American team, Minnesota Kicks.
While playing for Kaizer Chiefs in 1976, he set a new record. He scored a goal in just 10 seconds! This was in a 3–1 win against Moroka Swallows. He also helped Chiefs win the Benson and Hedges Trophy, Sales House Cup, and BP Top 8.
In 1980, he was named the 1979 Footballer of the Year. He scored another three goals in just 13 minutes against Moroka Swallows. Later, he went to Uruguay for trials with Penarol. He played as a striker there with young stars like Venancio Ramos and Fernando Morena.
Retirement from Soccer
After facing some knee problems, Valdez Ngcobo decided to retire from soccer. He stopped playing in December 1984.
Playing for His Country
Abednigo Ngcobo also played for the SA Black XI. This was a special team for black players in South Africa. In 1973, he played against a team called the UK All Stars. He played in another match against an All Stars side in 1979.
How He Played
People who watched Abednigo Ngcobo play often talked about his skills.
Essop "Smiley" Moosa, a former player, said "Shaka" was very fast and incredibly strong. He could play as a striker (who scores goals) or as a winger (who plays on the side of the field). Moosa felt winger was his best position. He also said Ngcobo was a fantastic goalscorer, especially with his left foot.
Ryder Mofokeng, a former captain of Kaizer Chiefs, described him as a complete player. He said Ngcobo could dribble past defenders, pass the ball well, cross it into the box, and shoot powerfully. Mofokeng believed he was one of the best all-around strikers South Africa had ever seen.
Life After Soccer
After retiring from soccer, Abednigo Ngcobo started a taxi business. He lived in Alexandra with his wife, Khanyisile, and his daughter.
His Passing
Abednigo Ngcobo passed away on 1 November 2014. He was 64 years old. He died at his home after feeling chest pains earlier that morning.
