6 minute read
ZELA EXCUSIVE YUSUF BUNTING GETS HIS 10 QUESTIONS
THE FORGOTTEN YOUNG SENSATION YUSUF BUNTING
BY HAPPY MASANGO
The name Yusuf Bunting was once meant to set the footballing world alight after his goal scoring heroics sent shockwaves through youth football in the country. Fast forward a few years later and the question on everyone’s lips is, ‘where is Yusuf Bunting?’
After joining the Amakhosi youth academy at the age of 16, Bunting rose to prominence as a deadly striker under the tutelage of the likes of Arthur Zwane, Sundra Govender, Doctor Khumalo and Ace Khuse.
Bunting’s dominance in youth football earned him a place in the Kaizer Chiefs reserve team shortly after joining the club and after six-years, that’s exactly where he remained.
Bunting later secured a loan move to Highlands Park in 2018 where he made just two appearances for the Lions of the North. Hampered by injuries, being out of his coach’s plans and a failed move abroad, Bunting is now on the hunt for a new club to revive his career.
We caught up with the former youth sensation regarding his time at Kaizer Chiefs and gathered some insight on what the future holds for the 24-year-old striker.
Q1: Was it always football for you? When did your passion for the game start?
A: Yes it always has been football for me – since the age of 5! It runs in my family and my journey is still far from finished.
Q2: How and at what age did you join Kaizer Chiefs?
A: At the age of 16 I joined Kaizer Chiefs. I went for an open trial and got chosen the same day. Apart from the other trialist, I was selected to start training the next day with the reserve team coached by Doctor Khumalo.
Q3: Talk me through your time at the academy?
A: My time at the Kaizer Chiefs academy has been full of ups and downs. I’ve had my fair share of injuries through my time. Thankfully, I had the best medical attention from Chiefs which helped me through the recovery process. In terms of being a player at the academy, I have definitely grown and learnt so much from the different coaches at the club. I was coached by Ace Khuse, Arthur Zwane, Sundra Govinder. Through my years at the Chiefs academy, I would say that I was probably the highest goal scorer in the few seasons I played in the development squads and leagues. All the coaches believed in me and that’s how I made it to the senior team at chiefs.
Q4: You get promoted to the first team in 2017 after a strong U21 SAB Championship campaign. How did things change for you after being this?
A: The SAB tournament definitely played a big role in me signing my first professional contract! I had an amazing tournament, came out the top goal scorer as well as player of the tournament. This received the attention of the Chiefs management to see I have the talent and could possibly be a future Chiefs star. Being promoted and training with the first team wasn’t initially easy; it’s at a high level and adjusting took time but was definitely a learning curve which helped me to be the player I am today.
Q5: Despite being promoted, you don’t play any first team games, you go out on loan to Highlands Park - was the loan move your decision? What was the thought behind the move?
A: Highlands Park contacted chiefs about taking me on loan. Unfortunately at Highlands Park I didn’t get as much game time as I thought I would. I thought moving to Highlands would gain me some experience and game time but unfortunately this did not happen due to whatever the coach’s reason was for not featuring me in matches.
Q6: After being an academy star and also proving yourself in the MDC side, what made you leave Chiefs completely? Did the club tell you there’s no future for you there? Did you decide you needed a new adventure?
A: I had high hope for my future when I came from loan to Highlands Park. A future which would see me building towards and helping the Kaizer Chiefs team reach their goals. I was let down when I got back from my loan spell: I was called into a meeting and told I’m not part of Coach Ernst Middendorp’s plans. This was rather frustrating but that’s just how South African football is. It’s unfortunate that things ended the way it did at Chiefs. I still had two years left on my contract and I am still waiting to get this sorted out by PSL – I have yet to receive my salary due to the contract’s validity for that period.
Q7: Where is Yusuf Bunting playing at the moment?
A: At the moment I am not playing for any club. I’m a free agent. I’ve been training and keeping fit on my own waiting for an opportunity to come through and to get my career back on track.
Q8: Any advice for up-andcoming footballers?
A: Work hard, stay motivated, dedicated and definitely keep your head on the ground! In football if you are not mentally strong you will definitely not make it to where you want to be.
Q9: The highlight of your career so far?
A: Since I haven’t played much first team football, my career
highlight was winning the Multichoice Diski shield with a talented group of player, followed by the SAB Under-21 where I scooped three ‘Man of the Match’ awards as well as the player and top goal scorer. Another one which stays in my heart, is the pre-season friendly with the Chiefs first team played against Buya Msuthu where I actually scored my first goal for them in my debut match.
Q10: Your future plans/long term ambitions in football?
A: Honestly I would love to play football abroad if the opportunity arose. But I’d love to play football here in South Africa as well and show the country I can be a top player! I’m still young and an opportunity will come which will I take and make it count. Ù Former youth coach Arthur Zwane on Yusuf Bunting: “I started working with Yusuf when he was young and he is one of the best finishers I’ve seen. He’s deadly in front of goals, and we always knew he’s a prolific striker - he was just prone to injuries which delayed his initial progress in the beginning.
“But, look, he’s something special. A 100% fit Yusuf Bunting can score a lot of goals for you. He needs to get his confidence back and also try and develop his game further. He is promising but I do believe he would have been far by now if it was not for injuries.”
