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Media day at ChloorkopAuthor: Zola DodaPhotos: Samuel Shivambu - Backpage PixAfter spending six years in Europe, Bongani Zungu is back at Mamelodi Sundowns. The midfield maestro was unveiled in front of a packed Loftus Stadium ahead of The Brazilians’ clash against Kaizer Chiefs. Chiefs. The 30-year-old made his PSL debut during the 2012/13 season and played 20 matches for the University of Pretoria before he was signed by Masandawana in an exchange deal which saw Buhle Mkhwanazi and Siyabonga Ngubane heading in the opposite direction.

Speaking to the Mamelodi Sundowns Digital Magazine crew, Zungu couldn’t contain his excitement about reuniting with his former teammates, “It feels great to be back with players I have developed my career alongside. The warm welcome I also received from the fans was really amazing,” said the player.
“Even before I signed, I could see fans reacting positively to rumours about me joining the club. The atmosphere at the stadium was electric during the announcement. I couldn’t be happier,” expressed the midfielder.

During his first season at Sundowns, Bongani made 22 appearances and was an integral part of the team that won the 2013/14 PSL title. On leaving the club, Zungu declared, “When I left Sundowns, the team was already excelling. I came here as a very young boy from Amatuks. I learnt a lot during my time and managed to win some trophies.”
Tlhopie Motsepe reveals new signing Bongani Zungu at Loftus stadiumAfter four successful years, winning two league titles, Zungu moved to Portugal to join Vitoria Guimaraes in 2016. The midfielder spent two seasons in the Portuguese Primera Liga before signing for French side Amiens SC. In France, he tested his skills against world class football clubs such as Paris-Saint Germain, Marseille and AS Monaco.

After Amiens SC were relegated from the French Ligue 1 at the end of the 2019/20, Zungu joined Glasgow Rangers in Scotland before returning to France at the beginning of the 2021/22 season. The Duduza-born footballer last played for Amiens SC in April against USL Dunkerque.

"The lifestyle in Europe is different and it helped me in terms of maturity off the pitch. I worked with many good coaches and world class players such as Jermain Defoe. At Amiens, I played against Paris-Saint Germain and those experiences have helped in my development as a player,” Zungu expressed.

Bongani continued to expand on what influenced his decision to return to the club, “Before re-signing with Sundowns, I thought about what I wanted to achieve, and the CAF Champions League is something that influenced my decision. The fact that Sundowns is amongst the best football clubs in Africa competing to win the trophy gives me hope that I will achieve my goal.”
Bongani Zungi smiling with the Sundowns fansDuring Zungu’s first spell with Sundowns, he worked with Head Coach Rulani Mokwena and Senior Coach Manqoba. The player says he enjoyed the experience and is enjoying working with the coaches again, “Coach Rulani came to visit me overseas and he had a chat with one of the coaches at Amiens to see how we were training, he has really helped me grow on and off the field. Coach Manqoba is a father figure to me and continuously gives me valuable advice.”

On his return to Chloorkop, the midfielder was handed jersey number 8, a number worn by his former teammate and Sundowns legend, Hlompho Kekana.

With the FIFA World Cup starting this month, Zungu commented on his favourite player and who he thinks will take the spotlight in Qatar, “having played against Kylian Mbappe, I know his capabilities and I’m pretty certain after winning the previous edition he is expected to shine again.”

He further went on to discuss which African team he will be supporting, “When it comes to the World Cup, I will be rooting for Senegal,” stated Zungu. “African teams have never won the FIFA World Cup so it would be amazing for the continent if it were to happen. I’m really looking forward to the tournament kicking off soon.”
BONGANI ZUNGU FACT FILEFull name:
Bongani ZunguBorn:
9/10/1992, in DuduzaPrevious Clubs:
University of Pretoria, Vitoria Guimaraes, Amiens SC, Glasgow RangersFull PSL Debut:
Moroka Swallows 2 University of Pretoria 3 (14/9/2012)First PSL Goal:
University of Pretoria 1 Orlando Pirates 3 (7/10/2012)International Debut:
South Africa 2 Burkina Faso 0 (17/8/2013, Friendly)First International Goal:
Swaziland 0 South Africa 3 (15/11/2013, Friendly)