Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Nkanyiso Zungu is attempting to revive his career as he has been afforded an opportunity to be assessed by Royal AM.
Zungu was released by Pirates at the end of last season after a trouble-one loan spell at Richards Bay ended his two-and-a-half year reign with the Buccaneers.
The Soweto giants had loaned him to Bay last term, and Zungu made 12 appearances for the Natal Rich Boyz, but he was released by the club in April over some alleged off-the-field issues, with his future now left in limbo.
Pirates signed Zungu from Stellenbosch FC in the second half of the 2019/20 season, having been a star for Steve Barker’s men in the first round.
He had helped Stellies to gain PSL top-flight promotion after they won the Motsepe Foundation Championship, playing a big role in the side he joined at the beginning of the 2018/19 campaign.
As he turned heads with brilliant displays including a match against Mamelodi Sundowns in Pretoria before Covid halted everything, Pirates came knocking for his signature, but he featured in just five matches for Pirates in that season as he was injured.
But then some off-field issues followed as he was arrested and the Soweto giants thought sending him to Bay could see him rekindle his career.
The 27-year-old only featured in 12 matches in all competitions for Bay last term, scoring once which was a penalty against Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup first round in February.
While Zungu is being assessed by Royal AM, the club has apparently signed former Golden Arrows attacker Sibusiso Sibeko, who was let go by Marumo Gallants, following the Limpopo side’s relegation to the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
The former Golden Arrows striker featured in 34 matches for Gallants, including 12 in the CAF Confederation Cup, where they reached the semi-final, scoring two goals in the process.
There was a stage where Sibeko was playing as the left-back, which will be good news to Royal AM coach John Maduka as he offers versatility.
Royal AM can currently still sign players since the club’s FIFA ban was temporarily suspended after they lodged an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over the case lodged by Samir Nurkovic and his lawyer.
Story by Robin-Duke Madlala (@duke_robin).
