Former South Africa youth international Kwanda Mngonyama has shared how he secured a move to the Middle East following his departure from AmaZulu FC at the end of last season.
After his contract with Usuthu expired, Mngonyama became a free agent and initially went for assessment at Siwelele FC before representing South Africa at the CHAN tournament in Kampala, Uganda.
The 32-year-old defender was a key player for the national team, starting all four matches at CHAN. The defender, who was part of the SA Under-23 team that competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics, credits the tournament for opening the door to his new club, Al Ittihad Sports Club. The club competes in Bahrain’s second tier.
Mngonyama, who came through the Mamelodi Sundowns academy, has been with Al Ittihad for three weeks. According to SABC Sport, the Ittihad technical staff values the Durban-born defender’s versatility, primarily deploying him as a centre-back and in a defensive midfield role.
MNGONYAMA ON AL ITTIHAD SPORTS CLUB BREAKTHROUGH
“If it weren’t for the CHAN tournament, this wouldn’t have been possible,” Mngonyama told the national broadcaster.
“The coach here told me that they spotted me during the game against Guinea, as well as in the qualification match against Malawi. They’re modelling my game on Yaya Toure here in Bahrain, and see me as an investment, who could be spotted by some of the big clubs in the big leagues in the Gulf region.”
Capped 12 times, the defender has played for clubs including Maritzburg United, Moroka Swallows, Cape Town City, Orlando Pirates, and Bidvest Wits.
Meanwhile, Mngonyama’s CHAN defensive partners Ramahlwe Mphahlele and Malibongwe Khoza have also secured recent breakthroughs. Mphahlele recently signed a one-year deal with Orbit College FC, while Khoza has earned a call-up to Hugo Broos’s Bafana Bafana squad for the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Rwanda.
The CHAN tournament, hosted across Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya, proved to be a valuable platform for advancing players’ careers. Bafana were knocked out in the group stage after a 3-3 draw with Uganda. Following the tournament, several players secured club contracts.
Thabiso Kutumela joined AmaZulu FC, as Harold Motjadibodu moved to Chippa United, and Siwelele FC signed Zakhele Lepasa.
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