Newly-signed AmaZulu FC midfielder Bongani Zungu has revealed why he could not reach his potential after returning to Mamelodi Sundowns two-and-a-half seasons ago.
Zungu had a tumultuous spell in Europe since moving to Rangers on loan in 2020, after he affected his career by being among five players banned for six games for breaking COVID-19 curfew regulations.
The Duduza native, who had big chances of getting a permanent contract at The Gers - back then managed by Steven Gerrard - had to return to French club Amiens after his loan period expired at the end of 2020/21.
However, upon his return, the club had suffered relegation from Ligue 1 and Zungu spent about six months without playing for the first team due to reported weight gain issues, where he was banished to play with the reserves.
He only started playing for the first team in the last six months of his contract and, after his deal ran down, was re-signed by Masandawana.
In his first few months at Chloorkop, Rulani Mokwena also had issues with Zungu for having not lost weight, with the young coach omitting him from his squads until he had worked on his fitness.
Opening up on why he did not live up to expectations in his second spell at The Brazilians, the 32-year-old has suggested he was not in the right state mentally.
"I mentioned the importance of being happy. in my time at Sundowns personally, obviously I went back to the club, I was used to everything and everyone," Zungu told journalists at AmaZulu's Media Open Day ahead of their clash against Sundowns on Christmas Eve.
"But at the time, mentally, I don't think I was at a good state and obviously that triggers you because football players are human beings. You have to be happy with yourself first.
"Obviously that's maybe the reason why. I can sit here and give you a 100 reasons why, but for me, it was on me personally, mentally. Maybe that's why I didn't reach the 'Ben 10' [that people know].
"Right now where I am mentally, I'm very happy. I'm happy to be at AmaZulu, I will always be grateful to Sundowns forever, they know and the President [Tlhopie Motsepe] knows that. This is a new challenge, I'm very happy and I can't wait to get started," he added.