AmaZulu FC midfielder Bongani Zungu has opened up about how a failed move to a Spanish La Liga club was so disheartening, making him temporarily lose his love for the game.
‘Ben 10’ was plying his trade at Amiens SC in France when he caught the attention of RCD Mallorca, who were battling relegation in the 2019/20 La Liga season, struggling to adapt to the top-flight after a promotion.
Despite agreeing on personal terms and undergoing a medical at the club, the deal fell through in the eleventh hour with Amiens deciding against the move on the deadline day.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns star was going to become the seventh South African to play in the La Liga after Quinton Fortune [Atlético Madrid], Benni McCarthy [Celta Vigo], Tsepo Masilela [Getafe], Nasief Morris [Recreativo Huelva, Racing Santander], Sizwe Motaung and David Nyathi [both Tenerife].
Zungu says when Amiens stopped the move, the Mallorca coach [Vicente Moreno] had already discussed with him how the latter was going to be utilised in the team.
He stated that, having to return to France, he was demoralised for some time, even facing boos from Amiens supporters who knew he attempted to depart.
ZUNGU ON MALLORCA FAILED MOVE – ‘THE AMIENS PRESIDENT DIDN’T WANT ME TO LEAVE’
“I’ve never spoken out about that [failed Mallorca move] but that’s one of the things that made me lose love for football,” said Zungu during the interview with FARPost.
“That broke my heart. The deal was done, I went to Mallorca, I did the medicals in the morning. I remember I had I arrived Thursday night. Friday morning, I had medicals.
“We had to rush because La Liga offices were going to close at 12. So, I passed the medicals but the sporting director [John Williams] of Amiens sent a message that the president [Bernard Joannin] doesn’t want me to leave the club.
“And I was there, sitting with the coach and the Mallorca sporting director. The coach was already telling me how he wants me to play and all of that. And obviously being contracted to Amiens, I had to respect their decision. But that broke my heart and I really lost love for football. I was alone that side with my family in South Africa.
“The deal didn’t materialise and I had to go back to France. When I returned, obviously with the fans knowing that I wanted to leave, they were booing me. It was difficult and it broke my heart.
“It changed a lot of things in my mind about how I see football and people who are involved in it.”
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