Heat turned up on Ngcongca
Bafana fullback Anele Ngcongca faces playing
in 37 degree heat tomorrow when his Belgian club Racing Genk play in the UEFA
Europa League.
Genk, who competed in the Champions
League last season, have a precarious 2-1 lead in their tie against Kazakhstan
side Aktobe and face having to try and defend their advantage in potentially
insufferable heat away in the second leg on the fringes of the central Asian
desert.
Genk’s squad traveled on a five-hour
flight yesterday to spend an extra day acclimatising to the heat,
which can reach a high of 45c, and a three-hour time difference, according to
coach Mario Been, who is concerned about conditions. Usually clubs only travel
one day before continental club tie.
Cape Town-born Ngcongca, who is now in
his fifth season at the club, could be shifted from right back to the centre of
defence as Genk hope to keep intact their one goal lead. Been has hinted he is
tempted to use the South African’s experience in a key position.
But their hosts have an advantage in
having scored an away goal in the first leg in Belgium last Thursday and would
go through on the away goals rule if they win just 1-0.
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