Zungu on whether AmaZulu will play at weekend amid Ntuli’s death grief
AmaZulu FC president Sandile Zungu has revealed whether the club will be in action at the weekend amid Bonginkosi Ntuli’s death grief.
Usuthu are scheduled to take on Golden Arrows on Sunday in the DStv Premiership at the Mpumalanga Stadium.
It will be a repeat between the two Durban-based teams as they met in the Carling Knockout Cup quarter-final last Saturday. AmaZulu defeated Abafana Bes’thende 3-0 to go through to the semi-finals.
With the sudden passing of the club’s forward Ntuli, Usuthu’s upcoming games this week would have be expected to be postponed. However, Zungu says the club has decided to proceed with the Sunday’s assignment against Arrows.
ZUNGU – AMAZULU TO PLAY ARROWS ON SUNDAY AMID BONGINKOSI NTULI’S DEATH GRIEF
“The truth of the matter is that we have chosen to play the game on Sunday,” said Zungu on Tuesday.
“And if we decide otherwise, we are within our right to make a plea to the PSL. We are not assured of such but it is a courtesy that is extended to all the teams in the instances of death such as we’re facing that we can request for a postponment or rescheduling of the game.
“We know that the fixtures are quite congested going forward. Sometimes, you postpone into difficulties.
“So, we’ll assess in due course if the team is in the right frame of mind to play on Sunday. There’s no question about it that the players will be touched by the sudden loss of one of their best loved colleagues.”
Further, Zungu revealed that AmaZulu players have been given a professional counselling as they continue to deal with grief.
He says the club will consider requesting the match’s postponement if players aren’t ready to return to the field.
PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLING FOR PLAYERS
“And we have already organised a counselling session for them at this morning [Tuesday], professionally,” added Zungu.
“They were given an opportunity to air out their internal feelings. And for someone to make scientific sense of what grief is all about and how to deal with it.
“We think we’re taking the right steps. And if they’re deemed to be inadequate, given the game on Sunday, we will take correction steps immediately.
“But as matter stands right now, we’re going to face Golden Arrows on Sunday and hope to do what we did on them [last] Saturday in the name of Bongi Ntuli.”
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