What is expected to be an epic Telkom Knockout final between Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns may well be Bongani Zungu’s swansong in the yellow shirt.
Downs midfielder Zungu has concluded that his future lies beyond the shores of South Africa and he is crossing his fingers that he ends up with a medal at the end of the sold out clash at the Moses Mabhida Stadium tomorrow evening.
“It will mean a lot more, especially that it will be my third season at Sundowns and I would get the third trophy. It might be my last season,” said Zungu, who has attracted interest from a number of overseas clubs.
Zungu’s current deal with Sundowns lapses at the end of the season but Sundowns may want to cash in on him by releasing him in January. If not, Zungu will leave on free transfer at the end of the season.
“Going abroad, from what I have experienced and what I have seen with guys from the national team, makes a player improve. That’s what I am looking forward to do it. I need to grow. I need to move. I believe if we have a lot of players playing in Europe, we can improve,” said the Bafana Bafana midfielder.
“I have seen Kamo (Mokotjo) and (Andile) Jali and the level is not the same. Jali has grown as a players. That’s what I am looking at as a player. We played Costa Rica recently and they have a lot of players in Spain and you can see the difference. It’s not just the talent, the technique is good. That’s what I want.”
Though he makes a comfortable living at Sundowns, Zungu has his sights on plying his trade abroad.
“I can get better money here at Downs but it’s not about money. It’s about growth and the love of football. It’s about playing that side and competing against the best in the world. I look up to the likes of Benni McCarthy and what they have done. We need that as a country. I need that to grow as a player,” said the lad from Duduza.
Zungu will play a vital role in the middle of the park where whoever dominates, is likely to walk away with the prestigious Telkom Knockout trophy. Zungu is keen to emerge tops ahead of the likes of Reneilwe Letsholonyane and Willard Katsande, who will be in the heart of midfield for Chiefs.
“It’s going to be a good battle in the middle of the park and I'm looking forward to it. We have done our homework and know Chiefs is a very good team. The break has helped us to study how they play and come up with a plan to beat them and bring the trophy home with us”.
The Star