Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Bongani Zungu was praised by his coach Rulani Mokwena after he fitted in well at defence when they defeated Rwanda outfit Bumamuru FC 2-0 in Tshwane on Saturday night.
And after giving a good account of himself, it will be very interesting if the lanky ball-player will permanently switch to that position going further into the season.
Although primarily a midfielder, “Ben 10”, as Zungu was affectionately known, was deployed in defence and he impressed as Sundowns kept a clean sheet, which was applauded by his coach Rulani. Zungu was a swashbuckling midfielder in his first stint when he joined the Brazilians from AmaTuks, under coach Pitso Mosimane. He left for Europe where he did not really set the scene alight and rejoined Masandawana last year.
“Bongani needs confidence and love and it will come. I have known him for a long time. he’s a good human being who loves the club. He played a different role and he adjusted quite well. He has struggled with injuries in recent times and he gives much more than what we see on the pitch. I am satisfied with where he is. He supports the youngsters off the pitch with his coaching skills and helps with translations sometimes because he speaks fluent French. He is such an important member of the squad and more games are coming up that will require his strong positional sense,” Mokwena told the Sundowns’ website.
The Soweto-born coach has also responded with humility after he was praised by his uncle and South African football legend Jomo Sono. Mjomana is regarded as one of the best players that South Africa has ever produced and he is the owner of the once-feared Jomo Cosmos who are now campaigning in he third tier of SA football.
“His [Sono’s] success is enough weight on my shoulders already, so part of what we try to do as individuals who belong to a group is to try to get ourselves to a level where the family can be proud. He knows I don’t only see him as an uncle and father, but also as an inspiration. Everything he has done, from his playing days to his coaching career – coaching Bafana Bafana, coaching at the World Cup and winning many trophies as a coach.
“Hearing such words, even though there are words I get to hear in private, from a legend like him, humbles me. Like they say, you only get to see further because you stand on the shoulders of giants. I can only become better by continuing to stand on his shoulders and appreciating the strength and hard work he has put in to blaze the trail for us as his kids,” Mokwena concluded.
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