Nkanyiso Zungu had such a promising football career. At the time he signed for Orlando Pirates from Stellenbosch FC, it seemed as though everything was falling into place for him. But a lot changed when he made the big move to Johannesburg and it affected not only his football career, but his entire life as well. A gender-based violence case was opened against him in 2022, leading to the Buccaneers suspending him. A loan move to Richards Bay FC was meant to revive his career, but it ended abruptly as he reportedly had a fallout with the club. The lanky midfield man is determined to make a return to the PSL, but it has not been easy. In this interview with Soccer Laduma's Tshepang Mailwane, the 28-year-old speaks openly about his demons, why the switch from Stellenbosch FC to Gauteng came with its fair share of troubles and whether a comeback is on the cards.
Tshepang Mailwane: Nkanyiso, we haven't heard from you in a while. What have you been up to as a free agent?
Nkanyiso Zungu: I am training alone on a regular basis. Every day, I am training and keeping myself fit, but the problem is that nothing has come together because of the situation I had and the way I was trending (on social media). I feel like people (in the football fraternity) took it as though I am a certain way and that's why nothing has been coming my way. I don't know how I can solve that, but I keep on believing that everything will be good. That's why I keep on training. Maybe something will come. I was at Royal AM, training with the team and everything was going well there, but the problem is that Royal AM has a (transfer) ban, and I could not sign for them.
TM: Before we get into your situation of 'trending', how long did you train with Royal AM?
NZ: Maybe I was there for four or five months. I was there from the pre-season, but I am no longer there because it did not help me to be there if they are not able to sign me. They also need to work with people who are contracted. So, I thought it would be better for me to go train alone.
TM: Was it promising?
NZ: Yes, it was promising. Unfortunately, there was nothing we could do because of this whole thing with the ban. They can't do anything.
TM: Moving on… What exactly happened with you at the Natal Rich Boyz because your loan spell from Orlando Pirates was terminated before it was meant to end? According to reports, you had a fallout with the club...
NZ: I made a mistake. Here is the story… What happened is that we were going to play a friendly game in Durban – I think it was a Friday. The team was going with the bus. But my problem is that I did not tell the club that I was going to go with my own car because I stayed in Durban, and we were going to be off on Saturday and Sunday and only return on Monday. So, I though let me take my own car because I was going to stay in Durban after that. If I had taken the bus, I was going to go back to Richards Bay and then return to Durban with my car. The problem is that I did not tell them that I was going to use my own car, which is fine. When we lost the friendly game, then there were issues.
TM: What issues?
NZ: They started asking me, "Why did you bring your car?" because all the players had to use the bus. I told them that I was staying in Durban. So, I told them that I thought it was best for me to use my car because we were going to be off. So, that's where the problem was. I was thinking of myself because I thought I could not use the bus and still come back to Durban after that with my car. That's why I decided to use my car.
TM: Why did the Buccaneers not take you back after your loan spell was terminated?
NZ: Remember when I was at Pirates, I had the issue with the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) case. That's when I first started trending, that I fought with my girlfriend. I went out on loan (to Richards Bay). When I came to Richards Bay, that thing happened and then when they (Pirates) saw in the newspapers that 'Nkanyiso Zungu is doing this and that'. They felt that they could not take me back.
TM: How would you describe your time at the Soweto giants?
NZ: It was nice being at Pirates. They treated me well. Unfortunately, from where I came from at Stellenbosch FC to Pirates in Jo'burg, there are things that happen on the outside that you are not used to and there are mistakes that I made. I started living a life that I did not know. At Pirates, there was nothing wrong. They treated me well and I cannot complain. But I feel like I made a mistake. I feel that there are things I should have been mentored on. At times, when you get someone, you get told by someone (older and wiser) that, "You shouldn't do this", but I feel like I got carried away.
TM: By 'mistake', are you referring to the GBV case?
NZ: Yes, that's the mistake that put Pirates' name and mine in public (in a negative way).
TM: So, what really happened?
NZ: To tell you the truth, I did hit my girlfriend. I slapped (her) and I don't want to lie about it. There were policemen who arrived, and I told them what happened. A case was opened, but then she dropped it. I am really sorry about what happened, from the bottom of my heart.
TM: Have you apologised to her for what happened?
NZ: Yes. We talk now and again. She's moved on and we are okay.
TM: Judging by how you are talking, do you feel like you needed someone to guide you when you got to Pirates?
NZ: Yes, I feel like I needed someone like that. Because I was joining a big team and I was going to a different city. I did not know what life was like (in Johannesburg). But if there was someone who was there to guide me and say, "This is how things happen here and this is how you should do things", then I feel that I would have been okay. Then things might have been different. There is a big difference between Stellenbosch and Jo'burg. Everything happens in Jo'burg. Everything you can think of happens in Jo'burg. That's how I can put it.
TM: Did you not take it upon yourself to speak to the senior players at the club to ask for guidance?
NZ: I would speak to them at times. There are a lot of guys who would speak to me, like Linda Mntambo. I would ask certain things and they would tell me. But I don't want to lie, I got into a life that I was not used to, and I ended up getting carried away. That's how it is.
TM: So, how do you now change your public image and get people to believe in you?
NZ: If I could get another chance, that's where people would be able to see that I have changed. They would see that I am not that person of old and maybe they would be able to see that there is a lot that has changed. At least if I can get that chance, people will see. Yes, there are things I have done, but things are different now.
TM: Do you think it will be difficult for you to return to the PSL after all that has happened?
NZ: To be honest, it's going to be difficult. It needs someone who is going to believe in me and show that they can get the best out of me, despite everything that has happened. I would love to get an opportunity. It's obviously been difficult because, by now, something might have come my way if there was someone interested in me.
TM: What are you going to do if nothing comes up?
NZ: I am going to keep on training alone. Obviously if there is nothing, then I need to come up with a plan and see what I can do.
TM: How are you surviving now?
NZ: I am surviving because there is something I had put away. That's what I have been surviving on. I just want to see myself playing. It does not have to be a big team. I can even start in the NFD (National First Division, officially called Motsepe Foundation Championship). There is nothing wrong with that. Then those who see me will see me and then maybe I can return to the topflight. I want to see myself in the national team. I don't want to lie, I was crying when I was watching the national team playing the way it was (at the Africa Cup of Nations). I wished I was there, but things have happened the way they have happened. But I do wish to see myself playing in the PSL and in the national team. That's my dream. I believe that I will come back. It's just a matter of time before everything comes together.
TM: Nkanyiso, let's hope things work out for you going forward. At least you've taken that first step of acknowledging your mistakes and you can build from there. You are a massive talent, so here's hoping someone out there is willing to give you an opportunity and that you will grab it with both hands and not deprive South Africa of seeing you spray those passes with your left foot like only you can do.
NZ: Thank you for the opportunity.
NKANYISO ZUNGU FACT FILE
Date of birth: 23 January 1996
Place of birth: Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal
Nickname: Gcobhoza
Position: Midfielder
Jersey number: N/A
Club: Unattached
Previous clubs: AmaZulu FC, Jomo Cosmos, Stellenbosch FC, Orlando Pirates, Richards Bay FC
Honours: 2020 MTN8 winner (with Pirates)
