EXCLUSIVE: ‘I Am Crying For Help’: AmaZulu…

Former AmaZulu defender Sazi Ngubane has made an emotional appeal for assistance as he continues to battle a debilitating illness that has left him unable to walk and uncertain about how he will provide for his family.

Ngubane, who was part of the AmaZulu team that lifted the Coca-Cola Cup in 1992, has been dealing with serious health challenges since 2023.

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Now 59, and set to celebrate his 60th birthday on December 16, the former footballer’s life has taken a difficult turn after being diagnosed with spinal tuberculosis.

Getting hold of Ngubane for an interview proved difficult, with two earlier attempts to reach him unsuccessful.

When Soccer Laduma eventually spoke to him over the phone on Monday afternoon, he explained that he had been struggling to make his way home from town.

Unable to walk independently, he now relies on a wheelchair and assistance from other people, making even an ordinary journey considerably more demanding.

In recounting his experience, Ngubane revealed that his health struggles began while he was working as a coach with Royal AM’s DStv Diski Challenge team.

“I’ve been sick since 2023. I was coaching at Royal AM, the DDC team. When I started feeling unwell, I went to a doctor in Pietermaritzburg because that’s also where the team’s clubhouse was situated. From there, I was referred to Midlands Specialist Private Hospital for specialised scans and so on,” he told the Siya crew.

His condition did not improve, leading to further referrals and attempts to find the right treatment.

However, what followed was a difficult period that would see him move between medical facilities while his health continued to deteriorate.

“I wasn’t getting any better and I was further referred to Netcare St Augustine’s Hospital for another specialised treatment.

During all this time, the club had given me sick leave. That allowed me time to be home with my wife and child, while attending to doctors for treatment.”

The former footballer said the disappointing part about all of this is that when it was time to undergo surgery, after everything that the doctors were trying with, there was no one to pay for the operation even though he was employed.

“So, the process couldn’t go ahead at the private hospital, and I had to go to a public hospital. Things went from bad to worse for me,” Ngubane shared.

He was subsequently admitted to Dr Pixley Ka Isaka Seme Memorial Hospital in KwaMashu, before continuing his treatment at different hospitals, including King Dinuzulu Hospital.

Long Journey of Healing

He says he has undergone several operations, but the journey towards recovery has been far from straightforward.

“I have been changing hospitals, whether it is King Dinuzulu Hospital or whatever, and I haven’t been seeing any improvement. As I am talking to you, I have already done five operations, if I remember well, and it hasn’t been easy for me. The last one was early this year.

“I was admitted in March this year, and I had been in hospital for seven months, until I got a pass out at the end of last month, on 31 October 2026. They said they were giving me some time to visit home and just take a break. I will be going back to hospital for a check-up on 18 November 2026.”

Ngubane’s battle has extended beyond the hospital walls. Away from the football environment that shaped much of his life, he is now faced with the uncertainty of supporting his family while unable to continue working.

The former defender has four children, although he currently lives with his wife and one of the children.

Ngubane’s Cry for Help

With his wife also unemployed, the financial pressure has become another major concern.

“The only hope I have right now is hearing that the MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture in KZN has promised to call me, and I am waiting on that. Otherwise, no one has reached out, and it has been such a struggle, not only for me but for my family too.

“It’s difficult to make ends meet, and you can imagine being the sole breadwinner, with my wife also not working. I am crying for help.”

A Football Man at Heart

Ngubane’s contribution to football, however, stretches beyond his playing days. As a member of the AmaZulu side that won the Coca-Cola Cup in 1992, he was part of a memorable chapter in the club’s history.

He later continued to serve the game through coaching and player development, with his work at Royal AM credited with helping shape the careers of players such as Orlando Pirates defender Sibangani Zulu and Golden Arrows captain Ayanda Jiyane, among others.

For someone who spent years helping young footballers find their feet in the professional game, the irony of his present circumstances is difficult to ignore.

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The man who once helped others pursue their football dreams is now facing a fight of his own, with his health, livelihood and family’s wellbeing all weighing heavily on him.

As he prepares to return to hospital for another check-up, Ngubane is hoping that the appeal he has made will reach those in a position to assist him.

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