Cape Town - Mamelodi Sundowns have wished Bongani Zungu well when he takes the next step in his career by joining Portuguese top-flight side Vitoria Guimaraes at the end of the season.
The move was confirmed the the player’s representatives yesterday and ends months of speculation about whether one of South Africa’s brightest young talents would make the move to Europe.
Sundowns are sad to see him leave, but believe the move is right for the 23-year-old at this stage of his career.
“The President [Patrice Motsepe], Board and Management of Mamelodi Sundowns wish Bongani Zungu all the best when he begins his European career with Vitoria de Guimares at the end of the season,” Sundowns said in a statement on Thursday.
“Zungu, who joined the Brazilians just over two-and-a-half seasons ago from AmaTuks [University of Pretoria] has blossomed into one of the best midfielders in South Africa at Sundowns under the mentorship of [coach] Pitso Mosimane.
“Sundowns has catapulted his career and made Zungu one of the most wanted players in the country - he won three trophies [so far] in his stay with the club including a PSL League title, Nedbank and Telkom Cup.
“International scouts from some of the top clubs in the world have through the clubs network been following him during the last few months.”
The club also revealed that they had an unnamed South American midfielder lined up as a replacement for Zungu from next season.