Former Bafana Bafana midfielder Bongani Zungu reveals reason behind Mamelodi Sundowns unexpected departure - 'Mentally I don’t think I was in good state'

New AmaZulu midfielder Bongani Zungu has explained in detail why he had to part ways with Mamelodi Sundowns at the conclusion of the 2023/24 season.

Ben 10, as the star from Duduza is affectionately known, had unexpectedly departed from the Premier Soccer League champions in June without having been assured a contract elsewhere.

The reasons for his departure remained unclear for months, and now the 32-year-old midfielder has disclosed why he had to leave the one-time Caf Champions League winners.

"Yes, I felt it was the time for me to leave. I made the decision for my own good and my own mental happiness. It wasn’t something deep, but it was just a personal decision." Zungu said, as quoted by iDiski Times. 

"I’ve mentioned the importance of being happy and at Sundowns personally, obviously I went back to the club that I was in, I was used to everything and everyone, but at the time mentally I don’t think I was in a good state. 

"And obviously that triggers you because football players are human beings, you have to be happy and put yourself first. That is maybe the reason why (I didn’t reach the heights of my first stint). I can sit here and give you 100 reasons why – but for me it was on me, personally, mentally and maybe that’s why I didn’t reach the Ben10 (times)," he added. 

"Right now that’s where I am mentally. I’m happy to be at AmZulu. I’ll always be grateful to Sundowns, forever. The president knows that. But this is a new challenge and I’m very happy and I can’t wait to get started." 

After being without a club for five months, the experienced midfield maestro has recently joined AmaZulu alongside Sandile Mthethwa, who previously played for Orlando Pirates.

Zungu will definitely add more value to the KwaZulu-Natal giants given his undeniable wealth of experience.

Apart from Masandawana, he turned for the Scottish team Glasgow Rangers, and France's Amiens SC, among a few other teams both internationally and locally.

Zungu might make his first appearance for AmaZulu when the club faces off against his former team, Sundowns, in a league match on Tuesday.

However, that is quite unlikely to occur considering that he has just joined the Durban-based team led by PSL legends Arthur Zwane and Vusimuzi Vilakazi, and hasn't seen any on-pitch action for over five months.