Zungu must toughen up McCarthy

WITH his move to the Portuguese Premiera Liga, Bongani Zungu has chosen “a brilliant league” and an ideal country to kick-start his European career.

This is according to the now retired Benni McCarthy, who enjoyed his best years in Portugal playing for FC Porto, winning the Uefa Champions League with Jose Mourinho in 2004.

Zungu, 23, recently joined his new teammates at Vitória de Guimarães after leaving Mamelodi Sundowns where he won two league titles and as many knockout competitions last season.

“It’s a brilliant league to start with,” McCarthy told Sowetan. “Portugal just won the Euros, so people will be shopping there for the next big star. Bongani could not have moved at a better time.

“I hope he does well because he is a good talent. I am excited to see him take centre-stage in Portugal.”

McCarthy – who now lives in Scotland – however warned Zungu to expect to face defenders as tough as Real Madrid’s Portuguese central defender Pepe.

“Portugal is good, they like South Africans. They will appreciate his skill, but I must warn him that it’ sa very physical league.

“Those Portuguese players are tough, so Bongani has to toughen up.

“I hope he ate a lot of pap and vleis because he is going to need it. Just look at Pepe. He is tough.”

The Bafana Bafana all-time leading goal-scorer also warned Zungu to stay focused on his football career after a nude video of the player circulated on social media recently.

“His [European] career has not even taken off but already he is in the media for the wrong reasons.

“You have to concentrate on football. If you are in the spotlight, then you should be in the spotlight for the right reasons,” McCarthy cautioned.

“First impressions last and if you are known for that, it will stick. You don’t want that [scandals] to be the reason people speak about you. “It’s a rookie mistake and hopefully he will not do it again. I hope he has learnt his lesson,” he said.