Tiyani Mabunda has revealed it took hard work and perseverance for him to finally peg down a place in the Mamelodi Sundowns first team.

Sundowns will have to make do without the influential Bongani Zungu next term, with the player having already agreed a move to Vitoria Guimaraes back in January, but with Mabunda among their ranks they may already have a capable replacement.

The 28-year-old has been in fine form in recent months and has carried that run over into the 2016 Caf Champions League group stages. The player managed a goal against Setif in Sundowns’ opening game, but that strike was effectively nullified following Setif’s disqualification from the tournament.

‘The celebration… it wasn’t my ability. I believe God’s intervention in my career has been unbelievable,’ Mabunda told Goal.

‘A lot of things went through my head when scoring that goal. It made me emotional. I know where I have been, I know what I have had to go through. To be in the place where I am today, it is a miracle.’

Mabunda at one stage looked to be surplus to requirements at Sundowns but is set to be rewarded for his decision to stay and fight for his place in the side.

‘I went through a lot in my career, especially when I came to Sundowns, but it takes hard work and perseverance and a big heart,’ he concluded.