Bongani Zungu Explained

Bongani Zungu
Birth Date:9 October 1992
Birth Place:Duduza, South Africa
Height:1.84 m
Position:Midfielder
Currentclub:Mamelodi Sundowns
Clubnumber:8
Youthyears1:2010–2012
Youthclubs1:Dynamos
Years1:2012–2013
Clubs1:University of Pretoria
Caps1:25
Goals1:7
Years2:2013–2016
Clubs2:Mamelodi Sundowns
Caps2:58
Goals2:1
Years3:2016–2017
Clubs3:Vitória Guimarães
Caps3:19
Goals3:1
Years4:2017–2022
Clubs4:Amiens
Caps4:67
Goals4:1
Years5:2020–2021
Clubs5:Rangers (loan)
Caps5:14
Goals5:0
Years6:2022–
Clubs6:Mamelodi Sundowns
Caps6:23
Goals6:1
Nationalyears1:2013–2021
Nationalteam1:South Africa
Nationalcaps1:30
Nationalgoals1:5
Club-Update:30 June 2024
Nationalteam-Update:08:11, 08 February 2023 (UTC)

Bongani Zungu (born 9 October 1992) is a South African professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Mamelodi Sundowns and the South Africa national team.

Club career

Having joined the University of Pretoria from Dynamos at the start of the 2012–13 season, Zungu helped AmaTuks to a top eight finish in the club's debut campaign in the PSL. At the end of the season it was announced that Zungu would be joining Mamelodi Sundowns in a swap deal, with Buhle Mkhwanazi and Siyabonga Ngubane joining University of Pretoria.[1]

Zungu suffered a hairline fracture of the shin in a 3–2 win over Maritzburg United, ruling him out for up to twelve weeks.[2] Despite missing most of the second half of the 2015–16 season, Zungu had the perfect send off from Sundowns with the club lifting the PSL title in May of 2016.[3]

On 20 January 2016, Zungu's agent Steve Kapeluschnik confirmed that he would be joining Portuguese side Vitória de Guimarães upon the expiration of his contract at the end of the season.[4] After a season in Portugal, Zungu moved to French club Amiens.

Zungu signed for Scottish club Rangers on loan from Amiens in October 2020.[5] Rangers secured an option to sign him permanently for a £2.7 million transfer fee. In February 2021 he was one of five Rangers players fined by Scottish police "for attending an illegal gathering of 10 people in a flat" in breach of lockdown rules during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.[6]

International career

Zungu made his debut for South Africa in a 2–0 win against Burkina Faso on 17 August 2013.[7] He scored his first international goal against Swaziland on 15 November 2013, with South Africa winning 3–0.[8]

Personal life

In July 2014 Zungu was a victim of a hi-jacking when a group of armed men made off with his car outside his home in Duduza.[9]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinental OtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
University of Pretoria2012–13Premier Division257101000277
Mamelodi Sundowns2013–14Premier Division22120200000261
2014–152305010201[10] 0320
2015–1613000420000172
Total58170722010753
Vitória Guimarães2016–17Primeira Liga1605121232
2017–18310000001[11] 041
Total19151210010273
Amiens2017–18Ligue 12610020281
2018–1950000050
2019–202110010221
Rangers (on loan)2020–21Scottish Premiership14000205000210
Career total16911131153702020515

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
South Africa201361
201430
201591
201600
201740
201810
201952
202021
Total305

Scores and results list South Africa's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Zungu goal.

List of international goals scored by Bongani Zungu
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1 15 November 2013 Somhlolo National Stadium, Lobamba, Swaziland 1–0 3–0 Friendly
2 29 March 2015 Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit, South Africa 1–1 1–1 Friendly
3 28 June 2019 Al Salam Stadium, Cairo, Egypt 1–0 1–0 2019 Africa Cup of Nations
4 10 July 2019 Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt 1–1 1–2 2019 Africa Cup of Nations
5 13 November 2020 Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban, South Africa 2–0 2-0 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification

Honours

Mamelodi Sundowns

Rangers

2020–21[12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: University of Pretoria coach Steve Barker says the new signings have replaced Aubrey Ngoma, Bongani Zungu and Mame Niang – News . Kick Off . 22 July 2013 . 20 November 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171222105019/http://www.kickoff.com/mobile/news/35885/university-of-pretoria-coach-steve-barker-says-the-new-signings-have-replaced-aubrey-ngoma-bongani-zungu-and-mame-niang . 22 December 2017 . dead .
  2. News: Mabasa. Tiyani (3 February 2016). Zungu's injury 'a blessing'. The Sowetan. 15 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160206134501/http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/sport/2016/02/03/zungu-s-injury-a-blessing. 6 February 2016. dead.
  3. News: van Nelson . Rouel (5 May 2016). How Mamelodi Sundowns won the Absa Premiership. Goal South Africa. 5 May 2016.
  4. News: Official: Bongani Zungu to join Vitoria de Guimaraes next season. Kick Off. 20 January 2016. 21 January 2016.
  5. Web site: Bongani Zungu joins Rangers from Amiens on loan with option for permanent move. He will help the club to win their 55th league title. The most successful club in the world. ⚪️. BBC . BBC Sport. 5 October 2020. 6 October 2020.
  6. News: Lindsay . Matthew . Rangers midfielder Bongani Zungu set to depart Ibrox this summer following Covid-19 lockdown breach . 23 February 2021 . Herald Scotland . 20 February 2021.
  7. Web site: Shabba, Nomandela secure win for Bafana. IOL. 17 August 2013. 18 November 2013.
  8. Web site: Comfortable win for Bafana over Swaziland. Kick Off. 15 November 2013. 18 November 2013.
  9. Web site: Mamelodi Sundowns Midfielder Bongani Zungu Survives Hijacking. Soccer Laduma. 20 July 2014. 13 February 2016.
  10. Appearance in the MTN 8 Cup
  11. Appearance in the Supertaça Cup
  12. News: Rangers top-flight champions for first time since 2011 after Celtic drop points . BBC Sport. 7 March 2021. 7 March 2021.