DIVINE IS FLYING
WARRIORS defender Divine Lunga has found a new lease of life at Golden Arrows, where he has become a vital cog for the South African Premiership side.
The 27-year-old Zimbabwean player was loaned to Arrows by Mamelodi Sundowns, at the beginning of the current season in August, after he had failed to command a regular starting place at the club during the previous campaign.
The arrival of Chilean midfielder Marcelo Allende, Ethiopian forward Abubeker Nassir and Moroccan centre-back Abdelmounaim Bantouil to Sundowns was also a major factor leading to Lunga’s return to Arrows.
Each club in the South African top-flight is allowed to register five foreign players per season and Arrows decided to register Lunga on their books for the 2022/23 season after Sundowns had exhausted theirs by acquiring the trio.
However, the move back to his former club is paying off for Lunga.
The left-back has not only enjoyed more game time but has also excelled when playing in the formations preferred by Arrows coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi.
Lunga – who featured in six league matches for Arrows between September and October alone – has put in some impressive performances in defence, where he is equally effective when deployed as a roving centreback.
The season-long loan is breathing life into Lunga’s career and has already brought back the kind of confidence that once made the player one of the most sought after defenders in the league.
Lunga has become equally confident in attack and has gone to the extent of finding himself on the score sheet.
On 4 October, the Warriors international’s 84th minute goal in the match against Cape Town City secured a 1 – 1 draw for his side when everything on the field of play that day was pointing towards a narrow defeat.
The player’s impressive form has not gone unnoticed by Sundowns, who have been monitoring his progress and are also happy he has been able to command a regular spot at Arrows.
“Every player enjoys their football when they are playing and I think Divine Lunga is happy with the way things have been going for him at Arrows so far,” said Mamelodi Sundowns chief scout Esrom Nyandoro.
“As a former player, I know too well the frustration of not being able to play regularly. You cannot be happy because the objective is to be on the field of play whenever your team is in action.
“Yes, Lunga is doing well at Golden Arrows. It is also a good development for Sundowns as a club because he is our player and we want him to succeed.
“However, we have not yet decided on whether or not Lunga will be part of the team’s plans after he completes his loan. We will keep on looking at his progress and that decision is not a priority at the moment.”