AmaZulu FC midfielder Bongani Zungu has finally addressed the very public criticism he received from Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos regarding his attitude and mentality.
Broos, who took the national team helm four years ago following Molefi Ntseki's failure to qualify for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations, ushered in a new era for Bafana.
His strategy involved introducing a significantly more youthful squad, a decision that saw several seasoned players, including former captain Thulani Hlatshwayo and Zungu himself, dropped from the national setup.
Broos's extensive overhaul also impacted other regulars such as Sifiso Hlanti, Siyanda Xulu, Thulani Serero, Ben Motshwari, Andile Jali, Dean Furman, and Kermit Erasmus.
Notably, Broos publicly stated his reasons for overlooking Zungu, citing concerns about his attitude and mentality, specifically referencing issues from his time at Amiens.
However, Zungu has since insisted that he didn't find the exclusion difficult to handle, and furthermore, Broos's comments in the media didn't bother him in the slightest.
‘I WAS NEVER BITTER’
“It was not difficult [to deal with snub], he’s a coach, he came and he believed that this is the team I want,” said Zungu during the exclusive interview with FARPost.
“Even with us, before we went to the national team, there were players who were playing there and the new coach decided to pick us and [leave the other ones].
“I looked at it that way, I was not angry. I don’t know the man, we’ve never met and he never called me or spoke to me and he didn’t have to.
“He’s the boss, he’s the coach and he believes in what he sees and it worked for him because the guys are doing well. That’s it, I can’t say I’m sad.
“It’s like in the [club football], when a new coach comes and he thinks, ‘I don’t need Bongani anymore’. He’s the boss, so that what he thought.
“Whatever he said in the media, for me, it doesn’t bother me, as long as he never told me, I’ve never met him, even now.
“I’ve got friends that are playing for national team, I was never bitter. I’m a South African and I support South Africa.
“It’s working, the guys are doing well and it’s nice to see but obviously it would be nice to go back. Hopefully, maybe it will happen, if not, I’ll continue to work.”
