Ahead of the new season, Sundowns have begun to bolster their squad with carefully-considered recruits, while the Brazilians recently welcomed the arrival of Abubeker Nassir from Ethiopian Coffee, and he has already made an immediate impact.
Earlier this year it was already confirmed that Moroccan defender Abdelmounaim Boutouil would be joining Masandawana, while it’s also more recently been announced by Uruguayan side Montevideo City Torque that Chilean midfield sensation Marcelo Allende is set to move to the DStv Premiership champions.
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The latest to be unveiled is Bongani Zungu who marks his return to Chloorkop after leaving the club in 2016 to play internationally.
Sundowns co-coach Rulani Mokwena unpacked Zungu’s homecoming and said: “[It’s] a complicated deal, it took very long. I want to thank Bongani for his patience and trust because he had other offers and he chose to come to us.”
Zungu has now shared his thinking behind the move.
“When I left Sundowns was already on a high, you know I came here as a very young boy from AmaTuks and I learnt a lot, the club changed my life and we won trophies and to come back and see how the club has improved even more and they got even more quality players was also very influential in my decision of coming back here and I am really excited about it,” he told Sundowns TV.
“Before I signed here, you think about what you might bring and what you would like to achieve and personally its something that added to me making a decision to come back, that I would really love to go and compete for the Champions League and the fact that the club is also there amongst the best in Africa competing to win the trophy not just to be in the group stages but to get as far as getting another star, [FIFA] Club World Cup, so that is just very good,” he added.
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Sundowns could soon welcome more signings
This week it was reported that Allende was on his way to South Africa to complete his deal with the Brazilians, having seemingly successfully acquired his visa.
The 23-year-old had apparently had his travel to South Africa delayed due to visa issues – but that appears to be a thing of the past as he’s expected to arrive at Chloorkop in the near future.
With Allende arriving, there has been talk that Slovakia international Pavol Šafranko may be deemed surplus to requirements due to the limit on foreign player spots.
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Coach Mokwena was asked about Allende and his imminent arrival, but hinted that patience is required as the club completes the necessary business before the window closes on 22 September.
“He (Allende) hasn’t arrived yet, but as I said the club will make announcements in due course,” the Sundowns co-coach told Thabiso Mosia on SAFMSportOn.
“It’s not only Šafranko, it’s all our foreigners. We have to allow the club to diligently work by process,” the coach added.
“Like I said there are a lot of support structures, important support structures and bigger responsibilities because our’s sometimes is just also focus on trying to win the next match.
“I’m sure the club will make the relevant announcements in due course.”
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