Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker has ruled out the possibility of reuniting with Nkanyiso Zungu for the third time, saying he has sufficient players in the area he plays.
Zungu is currently training with Royal AM, who unfortunately cannot sign him since while they are serving a FIFA ban, where they are unable to sign new players in the next two transfer windows.
With Royal AM boss Shauwn Mkhize adamant that she won’t pay the R12 million owed to Samir Nurkovic after they were found guilty by FIFA, it looks like Zungu won’t be affiliated to any club or play for Royal AM this season, unless the matter with the former Kaizer Chiefs striker is settled.
However, Barker has advised Zungu that if he wants to revive his career, he should consider dropping down the division and play in the Motsepe Foundation Championship where he previously dazzled with Stellies on their way to win the promotion in the 2018/19 season.
Zungu was released by Orlando Pirates at the end of last season, having been loaned out to Richards Bay, with the Soweto giants hoping he got the game-time to revitalise his career that is fading, but it wasn’t the case.
At Bay, where Pirates were hoping that he would remind everyone how good he was and why they signed him, he was let go before the season ended due to the ill-discipline.
When he came back, Pirates deemed him surplus to requirements, letting him go without getting a value return from him.
“We unfortunately full in that area,” Barker told iDiski Times.
“He has been speaking to me, I have been speaking to him because I’m trying to advise him even if he has to go down the level and just play. He needs to play because there is a lot of talent and get some lessons.
“So I hope he does find a team. But right now unfortunately in that midfield area we are full.”
Barker worked with the wayward Zungu twice in his career, having promoted him at AmaZulu before he was reunited with him at Stellies in 2018.
In his first season with Western Cape-based club, Zungu’s creativity in abundance was evident, starting all 30 league matches for Barker’s side on their way to promotion, just pipping Royal Eagles.
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With Stellies having been promoted in the top flight, Zungu did not stop there with his dazzling form, featuring in 16 league matches in the first round, including a brilliant showing against Mamelodi Sundowns before the season was halted due to the Covid-19 in the 2019/20 season.
Having raised eyebrows with his performances, Pirates quickly signed him but he arrived injured. He was only involved in five matches, starting two of those games.
In the following season, he featured in 13 matches in all competitions and made one appearance in the 2021/22 season before loaning him out to Bay last term.
