AmaZulu are carefully managing Bongani Zungu return to a full 90 minutes after he joined the club earlier this year. Picture: BackpagePix
AmaZulu co-coach Arthur Zwane is taking a thoughtful approach to reintegrating midfielder Bongani Zungu into the fold after the player joined the club in December 2024 following a five-month period without a team.
Zungu’s transfer to Usuthu surprised many in the football community, particularly as he had been unattached since leaving Mamelodi Sundowns in June of the same year. Zwane emphasised the importance of nurturing Zungu’s fitness as he adapts back to competitive football.
"There's no doubt about the quality of Bongani, obviously bringing him on board, we knew we'd be killing three or four birds with one stone."
— iDiski Times (@iDiskiTimes) February 9, 2025
AmaZulu co-coach Arthur Zwane says they were killing three or four birds with one stone by signing Bongani Zungu.… pic.twitter.com/gUpJJUBXns
The veteran midfielder, who made his debut for AmaZulu in January during a Betway Premiership match against Sekhukhune United, stepped onto the pitch amid high expectations.
Unfortunately for Zungu and the team, the occasion ended in disappointment with a 2-0 loss. However, the 32-year-old has since secured a place in the starting line-up, featuring in four out of the last five matches.
Recognising Zungu’s vast experience, accumulated from his time overseas and his international caps for South Africa, Zwane is nonetheless cautious about overburdening the player too soon.
The co-coach made it clear that their strategy revolves around careful management to prevent injury, a significant concern given Zungu’s lengthy absence from play.
“There is no doubt when it comes to the quality of Bongani,” Zwane stated.
“He’s a player who knows how to manage himself at the same time as us trying to make sure that we don’t hurt him because sometimes to rely on him might cause problems for us.”
Zwane further explained that they are gradually increasing Zungu's game time, monitoring his performance as they assess whether he can endure longer stints on the field.
“Sixty minutes, 70 minutes, 75, is always good,” he noted, adding that they are looking for signs that he can extend his play time to 80, 85, or even 90 minutes.
“The last thing that can happen at this present moment is us losing him due to an injury. And that’s what we are avoiding.”
AmaZulu fans have high hopes for Zungu, known affectionately as ‘Ben 10,’ as the co-coaches prioritise a sustainable strategy to leverage his skills without risking further setbacks. As the season progresses, the careful nurturing of Zungu's integration will be closely watched, with both the club and supporters eager to see him back to peak form.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns man is expected to play an integral role in the KwaZulu Natal based club’s ambition to either finish in the top three or claim silverware with the Nedbank Cup still up for grabs.
Usuthu will travel to Limpopo for the second of back-to-back games against Marumo Gallants in the round of 16 of the Ke Yona competition. The two teams met last Friday in the Betway Premiership as Zungu helped AmaZulu to a convincing win.
The club came close to breaking their over three decade long trophy drought in 2022 as they were defeated in the MTN8 Final by Orlando Pirates.