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South Africa: Meet the self-made Bongani Zungu buzzing in Ligue 1
Bongani Zungu utilised all his first chances that coaches gave him, impressed in every instant and achieved his dream of becoming a professional footballer. From Duduza, Dynamos, University of Pretoria, Mamelodi Sundowns, Portuguese Primera Liga and now French Ligue 1, Zungu battled injuries, frustrations and a whole lot to pursue a passion.
South African football league, the Absa Premiership, is perhaps one of the most competitive leagues in Africa, funded more than most, marketed expertly and attracts players from all over the continent. It is for this reason that many talented South African professional footballers become trapped in the comfort at home and like most English footballers, spend all their careers playing in the domestic league. The trap which Senegalese legend, El Hadji Diouf, recently challenged Sundowns’ Percy Tau to overcome. There are a few mavericks though, and Goal recently had an exclusive interview with one, Bongani Zungu.
At 17-years of age, Zungu told himself that if he had not become professional at 20, he would have to quit the game. Supported by a moralistic and stable household, Zungu balanced football and academics and had his big break at in 2010 when Dynamos signed him from lowly Dixieland Stars after impressing at regional playoffs. After spending two years at Dynamos, University of Pretoria acquired the then 21-year-old Zungu who resoundingly shook South African football, appearing 27 times for AmaTuks and attracting interest from a host of top PSL clubs.
After the University of Pretoria came Mamelodi Sundowns where Pitso Mosimane partnered him with a veteran midfielder, Hlompho Kekana in his debut season and helped Bafana BaStyle to their first ABSA Premiership title in seven years. He made his Bafana Bafana debut in 2013 and then went on to realize his European dream by joining Portuguese Primera Liga club Vitoria Guimaraes FC for the 2016/17 season. Zungu battled through injuries and adjusting to the new environment and eventually impressed on his Portuguese debut on 22nd January 2017. For the second half of that season, he outstandingly helped the Portuguese club to a top-four finish and secure Europa League qualification. This resulted in the likes of Villareal, Malaga, Benfica, Hoffenheim, and Mainz vying for his signature - with French Ligue 1 side, Amiens won.
The story of the 25-year-old Bongani Zungu continues in France.
“When growing up, I always knew what I wanted and as much as I loved football, I always thought that when I got to the age of 20 and I was not a professional, I was going to quit and pursue something else. So, I was very excited when I got my breakthrough at Dynamos.” - Bongani Zungu, Amiens SC, and South African Midfielder.