AmaZulu FC midfielder Bongani Zungu has opened up on being sidelined by Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos since the Belgian’s arrival in 2021.
Broos took over as head coach four years ago, stepping in the shoes of Molefi Ntseki who failed to qualify for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon.
The 2017 AFCON winner ushered in a new era by introducing a youthful squad. This decision saw seasoned players, including captain Thulani Hlatshwayo and Zungu, dropped from the squad.
Broos’s overhaul also extended to other regulars, including Sifiso Hlanti, Siyanda Xulu, Thulani Serero, Andile Jali, Dean Furman, and Kermit Erasmus.
Zungu was firmly in what many considered the peak of his career. He was turning out for Scottish club Rangers on a loan deal, a high-profile move before he eventually rejoined his parent club, Amiens SC.
Broos publicly stated that he overlooked Zungu due to concerns about the latter’s attitude and mentality, specifically referencing off-field issues he had at former clubs abroad, particularly Rangers and Amiens.
Zungu has insisted that he didn’t find the snub difficult to handle. He also stated that Broos’s comments about him in the media didn’t bother him at all.
ZUNGU ON BROOS’ COMMENTS – ‘IT DIDN’T BOTHER ME’
“It was not difficult [to deal with snub], he’s a coach, he came and he believed that this is the team I want,” said Zungu during the exclusive interview with FARPost.
“Even with us, before we went to the national team, there were players who were playing there and the new coach decided to pick us and [leave the other ones].
“I looked at it that way, I was not angry. I don’t know the man, we’ve never met and he never called me or spoke to me and he didn’t have to.
“He’s the boss, he’s the coach and he believes in what he sees and it worked for him because the guys are doing well. That’s it, I can’t say I’m sad.
“It’s like in the [club football], when a new coach comes and he thinks, ‘I don’t need Bongani anymore’. He’s the boss, so that’s what he thought.
“Whatever he said in the media, for me, it doesn’t bother me, as long as he never told me, I’ve never met him, even now.
“I’ve got friends that are playing for national team, I was never bitter. I’m a South African and I support South Africa.
“It’s working, the guys are doing well and it’s nice to see but obviously it would be nice to go back. Hopefully, maybe it will happen, if not, I’ll continue to work.”
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