Mamelodi Sundowns left-back Divine Lunga’s bond with a former Kaizer Chiefs star was on full display in the United States of America.
Currently participating in the FIFA Club World Cup in the USA, Lunga has emerged as a standout player, earning a spot in both the official Team of the Week and Sofascore’s Best XI for Round 1 of the group stage of the 2025 edition.
In their opening Group F match, Lunga delivered an exceptional performance in Sundowns’ 1-0 victory over South Korean club Ulsan HD. He also played impressively, despite a tough 4-3 loss to Borussia Dortmund the following Saturday.
Before facing Dortmund, the 30-year-old was seen connecting with former Chiefs defender Teenage Hadebe, as the two Zimbabwe national team defenders captured their moment together in videos, embodying a sense of brotherhood while away from home.
Hadebe, now a US-based defender in Major League Soccer, was also spotted in the stands of TQL Stadium in Ohio, supporting his fellow Warrior. After the match, Lunga enthusiastically jumped the barricade to greet Hadebe, further emphasising their camaraderie.
A BOND BIRTHED AT CHICKEN IN FC
The bond between the two comes from their days at Chicken Inn FC, a team from their hometown, Bulawayo, the second largest city in Zimbabwe.
They lined up alongside each other for one and a half seasons – from 2016 to 2017 – in the Zimbabwe Castle Premier Soccer League. In July 2017, Hadebe joined Amakhosi, with Lunga making a switch to Golden Arrows the following year.
Hadebe, familiar with TQL Stadium, where Sundowns fought valiantly against the German side, currently plays for FC Cincinnati, the team that calls the stadium home. The venue, which opened on May 16, 2021, holds approximately 26,000 spectators.
Hadebe joined FC Cincinnati in August 2024 after a spell with the Turkish side Konyaspor. In September, the two will team up when the Warriors take on Benin and Rwanda in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
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