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Johannesburg - Mamelodi Sundowns' new signing Bongani Zungu says he has been slightly surprised by the number of games he has played since signing for his new club in July.
At 20 years old, Zungu's career was fast-tracked after he opted to join the big-spending Brazilians, having spent a solitary season with University of Pretoria in the PSL.
"I didn't expect to be playing so often," Zungu said on Tuesday.
"I expected to be that player who would be brought in from the bench. But my hard work and dedication has paid off.
"I'm very happy, I've played all the games and I'm working hard."
Zungu scored seven goals at AmaTuks and grabbed the attention of Bafana Bafana boss Gordon Igesund.
But it was not until joining Sundowns that Zungu earned his first cap for the national team and had since made two further appearances for Igesund's side.
On Tuesday, Zungu was named in Igesund's 23-man squad for a friendly international against Morocco later this month, and the youngster also looked a certainty to make the Bafana squad for the African Nations Championship (Chan) tournament early next year.
Zungu singled-out his new coach Pitso Mosimane as being responsible for his recent success, saying the Sundowns' boss expected nothing but the best from his troops.
"The coach has his plans and you have to follow his rules. He demands a lot of hard work," Zungu said.
"It's a very good feeling. Those who don't work hard don't play. But I follow the coach's instructions, I do what he wants.
"He's a hard man. You can't satisfy him because he always wants more and more."
The lanky midfielder added that he was always looking to improve his game and revealed that Mosimane was eager to help Zungu in his development.
"He tells me that I can offer more, which I can, so I just have to keep a level head," Zungu said.
"The coach told me that the difference between myself and European players is that I rush.
"I'm all over the show, but he told me to keep calm and play football."
