Zungu nearly ready for action

FORMER Sundowns player Bongani Zungu says he has not been put under any pressure by his new Portuguese club Guimaraes to get back into action after suffering a fracture of his shin bone in February‚ even though he has been at his new club for several months now. They have helped me and gradually I’m getting there‚” Zungu told the Portuguese sports daily O’Jogo. I do not feel any pressure. I am totally focused on achieving my ideal physical shape to be able to play.” Before signing from Mamelodi Sundowns‚ Zungu told the newspaper he had sought out the opinion of Benni McCarthy‚ who won a Uefa Champions League medal with FC Porto and quickly realised that he would face a huge challenge in Portugal. He’s a very nice guy. He advised me to fight hard to assert myself and that by going to Portugal I would grow as a footballer. He said I would need to compete.” Zungu said that once he got to Portugal he quickly realised how tough it would be. There is an abundance of quality in our squad. But that is good for me. It forces me to work hard. It will be a good challenge‚” the former Downs midfielder said. Adaptation is usually also a problem for foreign footballers in a land where the language is different. I came alone to Portugal but I have made friends. Soon‚ my family will come to visit me. Vitoria is a large club and has great fans‚” Zungu said. Pretoria-based businessman Mario Ferreira‚ who is the majority shareholder of Guimaraes‚ organised the transfer. He has encouraged me and told me to fight for my goals. That will be crucial to my growth. Zungu’s injury was enough to rule the 23-year-old out of the rest of Sundowns’ championship-winning season but not enough to torpedo his move overseas. He is expected to be available to play in the next few weeks. Guimaraes have already played five games of the new season and sit in 10th place in the standings.

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