AmaZulu FC chairman on how Ntuli gave Zungus ‘opportunity’ to buy the club

Breaking his silence on the passing of the striker Bonginkosi Ntuli, AmaZulu FC chairman Sandile Zungu has explained how his family owes “buying into Usuthu to the efforts of Ntuli”.

The 32-year-old passed away on Sunday after he was diagnosed with an “aggressive form of cancer”, according to the club’s statement. 

On Tuesday, AmaZulu chairman, staff, players, supporters and media went to Mkhambathini in KZN, where Ntuli hails from, to pay their respects.

Zungu described Ntuli as a “rare breed”, saying he was special to the club.

He recalled the 2019/20 PSL season, where the centre-forward rescued the KZN side from relegation, banging goals as the team was flirting with the DStv Premiership drop zone.

This was, however, prior to the Zungu family’s purchase of Usuthu’s status. Zungu says if it wasn’t for Ntuli and the efforts of his teammates, they wouldn’t have bought AmaZulu in the second-tier.

SANDILE ZUNGU SAYS BONGI NTULI WAS A ‘RARE BREED’ 

“It’s very difficult to ever forget about Bonginkosi Ntuli. He’s one of those rare breed of strikers who are able to carry a lot of weight on their shoulders,” said Zungu.

“It will be remembered that when AmaZulu faced relegation, he almost single-handedly delivered all the goals that rescued AmaZulu and ensured that it remained in top-flight.

“And I have no doubt that if AmaZulu had not remained in top-flight, we as the Zungu family would not have had an opportunity to buy into the team.

“So, we owe our buying into AmaZulu to the efforts of people like Bonginkosi Ntuli and other peers and colleagues of his, who played a superb role in lifting the team. 

“Bongi is one of those stylish strikers who’d score goals in style. Who’ll forget the day we were leading Kaizer Chiefs by 3-0 and he received the ball, beat the defender and sold [Itumeleng] Khune a dummy and delivered a goal into an empty net.

“Only a brave striker would do such. There are many other goals, some of them are of Tsotsi [thuggish] style, there’s footage where he handled the ball effectively and was able to secure a penalty against [Golden] Arrows.

UNIFYING FIGURE AND PEACEMAKER

“He was a unifying figure, a peacemaker and not a single person would say he had a grudge with or against Bonginkosi Ntuli. He was a proper mentor to young stars who’re coming up through the ranks and was a good brother and friend to those who are seniors like him.”

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