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Ndulula receives Zwane praise

Cape Town - AmaZulu manager Japhet Zwane said Bongani Ndulula deserved a considerable amount of credit for the contribution that he has made to Bafana Bafana's Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

Read: AmaZulu not giving up on 'Drogba'

Ndulula was only on the field for the first 58 minutes of South Africa's 2-1 victory against Sudan at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.

However, the Usuthu striker had already played starring roles in the national team’s early successes against Sudan and the Congo during rounds one and three of qualifying.

Both of those matches were played away from home, in notoriously hostile environments, and Zwane couldn't be any prouder of the KwaZulu Natal outfit’s 24-year-old prodigy.

"We’re very proud as a club to have a player in the national team, we’re proud of their qualification for AFCON too," Zwane told the club’s website.

No secret has been made of the fact that AmaZulu are currently dealing with considerable adversity and Ndulula’s success at the national level has been the one piece of good news in what has otherwise been a rather ghastly season for the club.

"To have a player in the national team is something we pride ourselves with because it’s rare to have a player from a KwaZulu-Natal club," added Zwane.

"You’ll remember there was a perception that you must first go to Gauteng for you to get recognition in the national side.

"We’re proud of him, the coach (Mashaba) and the entire squad for qualifying - they’ve done a tremendous job."

It is also hoped that Ndulula can convert the form at international level into the Premiership and possibly help the club escape what is a precarious position on the league standings.

"Yes he’s not scoring as we’d like him to at club level but we believe when he’s doing well in the national team, then he can do well in the club too," said Zwane.

"Obviously scoring begins at national team and comes back to the club, we’re still waiting for him to do well for us. He did well and showed aggression against Kaizer Chiefs in our last game and we hope that he’ll do well in our next match."

The next opportunity for Ndulula to help Usuthu climb out of the dreaded relegation zone will present itself during the league fixture against Platinum Stars on Saturday, November 22.

Kick-off is at 18:00.

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