AmaZulu FC chairman Sandile Zungu opens up on pursuit of Bongani Zungu amid interest from Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and Rhulani Mokwena's Wydad AC & being rejected by Orlando Pirates star - 'He escaped'

AmaZulu president Sandile Zungu has disclosed how Usuthu missed out on signing former Mamelodi Sundowns star Bongani Zungu after his return from Europe.

The 32-year-old midfielder was a sought-after player when he came back to South Africa after parting ways with France's Amiens SC in 2021, with Kaizer Chiefs being linked with him during that period.

Ben 10, as the ex-University of Pretoria FC star is nicknamed, went on to rejoin the Tshwane giants in 2022. After signing with AmaZulu this week, Usuthu's president explained how he could have secured Zungu's signature before.

"I started talking to Gwabini (Ben 10) when he came back from Scotland. I think he escaped because Sundowns put him on the table which made him salivate," Zungu told Isolezwe. 

"Even now, when he parted ways with Sundowns, I spoke to him again, I urged him to come home. He hadn't even gone to try his luck at Rhulani Mokwena's. Again, we were prevented by the fact that he had some plans. 

"We heard that he might return abroad or join Chiefs. When we heard that he was staying, he didn't have a team, so we jumped and stayed," the businessman explained. 

"Gwabini is a different midfield player in the PSL. He can play at the back and the stomach and he is also smart when looking forward," he added. 

"We suffered a lot when Makhehleni Makhaula left. The arrival of Ben Motshwari helped. We see Gwabini who will work well with his teammates Celimpilo Ngema and Ethan Brooks." 

Zungu has also revealed that Usuthu have been keeping tabs on Mthethwa in the past two years. 

"We wanted Mthethwa before the start of the 2022/23 season because we saw that [Orlando] Pirates did not use him. He rejected us by saying that he is in the coach's plans," he said. 

"What defines us about him is that he has left his arrogance behind. He will help us in stopping the enemies and scoring goals when we get free-kicks and corners.

"Another thing is that he is a homeboy, we don't need to propose. We married him to love Usuthu. He knows what to do."

Zungu was a free agent after leaving Sundowns at the conclusion of last season. He was frequently linked with Chiefs, but it would appear that Amakhosi were not pursuing his services.

Mthethwa, on the other hand, found it challenging to get playing time at Orlando Pirates and was released by the club to pursue his career elsewhere.

The duo joined the Durban-based team on permanent contracts.

Zungu and Mthethwa will be hoping for a prosperous tenure with AmaZulu as they strive to aid the team's success.

The two players may make their debut at the club when Usuthu face Sundowns in a league match on Tuesday.