From working in the mine back to PSL: The Roggert Nyundu story
Former PSL striker Roggert Nyundu has opened up about his three-year break while working in the mine and his desire to return to professional football.
He made the revelations in an interview with FARPost at the just-ended SAFA‘s ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs held at Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium in Upington, Northern Cape.
The SA third-tier national playoffs commenced on Tuesday, June 18, last week and ended on Sunday, June 23, 2024.
The 36-year-old footballer played a significant role in helping his local team secure Motsepe Foundation Championship status, leading the team as a true leader who boasts PSL experience.
Nyundu, captained Kruger when the side locked horns with Highbury FC of Eastern Cape in the final of the national playoffs on Sunday, 23 June. The final showdown ended in a 2-0 scoreline in favour of Highbury.
HOW DID ROGGERT NYUNDU JOIN KRUGER UNITED
Nyundu revealed to this publication how his move to Kruger came about following a three-year break from professional football.
The experienced forward joined Kruger when the side bought ABC Motsepe League status of Cunningmore United in July 2023 while he was still working at the mine in Witbank.
Nyundu worked for a mining construction equipment supplier company called Bazil Technologies in Emalahleni Local Municipality, Mpumalanga‧
“Actually, what happened is that I had a break for three years without any professional team,” a delighted Nyundu told this website.
“So, I told myself ‘let me go redeem myself’. I went to a guy called Bazil Khosa who had a company around Witbank. I was working there but working there from 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM and went to training with a SAB club. We were like eight who were working in the mine playing football, so I would take my players to train and go home during weekends, train and play games, then come back.
“I was working at the workshop, by the way, but in the mine. So the way they were passionate about football, this is what I have brought to our region because they are now in love with what I have started.
“But for now, I’m focused on Kruger, and I’m based with them in Bushbuckridge because I’m no longer in Witbank.”
‘I CAN STILL OFFER MORE’ – NYUNDU
Nyundu went on to state that he still has what it takes and believes he can still offer more for Kruger moving forward.
“When given a task from the people in your region, you don’t deny it, you take it and move on. It’s not like people were expecting me to play for Kruger before. This is what I wanted to achieve with a local team in my region,” he added.
“So, for me, I can say I’m still good, and I can still offer more when it comes to getting a PSL team or any team that can come give me an offer.
“But for me now, my focus is on Kruger, whereby I want to make history with this team because one day I will be able to say I made history with a local team.”
In the SA elite league, Nyudu also represented teams such as AmaZulu FC, Polokwane City FC, Black Leopards, and Bloemfontein Celtic.
During his PSL stint, Nyundu played 101 games across all competitions with different clubs. In those 101 appearances, the Mpumalanga-born frontman managed to score 30 goals in the process.
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