IN DAD'S MEMORY: ZUNGU'S CLIMB TO THE TOP
Sundowns’ playmaker out from under radar
BONGANI Zungu, Mamelodi Sundowns’ latest talisman, has been in the fast lane since his father died almost a year ago.
Not only has the 21-year-old been thrust in at the deep end in a star-studded line-up at Chloorkop and delivered, the midfielder has also had to mature quickly off the pitch.
In two years Zungu has ascended from the lower leagues — where he was spotted by University of Pretoria coach Steve Barker playing for Dynamos — potentially to rubbing shoulders with Andres Iniesta when Bafana host Spain on Tuesday.
Zungu was snapped up by the Brazilians from AmaTuks seven months after his father, David, died in December. The deal to join the crosstown rivals was done almost completely under the radar, but Zungu hasn’t had much time to romanticise the move despite being one of the pivotal cogs in coach Pitso Mosimane’s plan.
“I miss my father. He died while I was still playing for Tuks,” the playmaker from Duduza on the East Rand said this week. “He was my inspiration and our breadwinner at home. Now that he is gone that has become my responsibility.
“He always knew what to say, especially regarding football, so it was tough losing him. My mother doesn’t quite under- stand the game so much, but she tries to meet me halfway and offer advice where she can. I still spend a lot of time at home, and they also visit me quite a lot.”
Zungu grew up in a shack with his parents and two siblings. His father worked for a coal company in Duduza, while his mother, Busi, is unemployed.
Following his debut season in top-flight football at AmaTuks, Zungu has been trying to find the balance: from walking to training and living in shared
You need to keep your feet on the ground when things move this quickly for you
housing with a teammate to buying a new set of wheels and the grand plan to own a home.
He is renting an apartment in Kempton Park. Add to that mix the pressure of playing for Sundowns in a campaign they have targeted as the one to end their five-year trophy drought, as well as breaking into the Bafana squad after barely two seasons in the Premiership.
Zungu admits it can get a bit overwhelming at times.
“But my brother Zakhele, 25, is there to help. He is a teacher at one of the schools in Duduza and is a very intelligent guy who has a business mind and has been helping me to invest. I am trying to stay grounded as much as possible.
“I used to walk everywhere because everything was so close at Tuks.
“Now I have bought a Golf 7 and live alone in Kempton Park. You need to have a strong support structure to be able keep your feet on the ground when things move this quickly for you,” said Zungu.
His biggest regret so far is being unable to further his education beyond his 2010 Matric certificate.
“I think I haven’t been disciplined enough when it comes to my education. While I was with Dynamos I didn’t last long at the University of Limpopo because soccer took my time. At Tuks I was only at TUT for six months, but I’m determined to try again,” Zungu said.
While he had anticipated leaving Tuks for title contenders, although not after just one season with the side, the second-born of three boys is still getting used to the idea that he is one for the future for Bafana.
“I honestly thought it would take a while. I mean I am still adjusting to my new role at Sundowns because at Tuks I played a different position,” Zungu said. “It is exciting, and I am learning a lot from the senior guys here, guys who know what it takes to represent your national team.”