Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Bongani Zungu is intent on emulating the success of the country’s all-time leading goalscorer, Benni McCarthy, in Europe.

The 23-year-old spoke of his readiness ahead of his move to Portuguese side Vitoria de Guimaraes after being injured for a large part of Sundowns season. Zungu managed just 17 appearances for Mamelodi Sundowns this season, scoring one goal and picking up two assists as the Brazilians cruised to their seventh PSL title.

‘It is a mixed feeling because I am happy to move to Portugal but sad that I am leaving Sundowns where I have played for three seasons and won four major trophies,’ Zungu told Goal.

‘I am ready to move to Europe, I want to be like Benni McCarthy and make my name overseas.’

The former AmaTuks midfielder mentioned that one of the challenges he will face in Portugal will be the language barrier but insists that he is concentrating on his football and has already begun learning Portuguese.

‘It will be tough because of the language but I am going there for football and I have already started learning basic words in Portuguese.

‘I am ready to start my new life in Portugal,’ Zungu added.

Zungu began his career at Dynamos before joining AmaTuks at the start of the 2012-13 season where he starred for the students as they secured a top eight finish in the club’s debut campaign in the topflight. With seven goals and one assist to his name, Zungu was transferred to Mamelodi Sundowns in a swap deal with Buhle Mkhwanazi Buhle Mkhwanazi and Siyabonga Ngubane going the other way.

Zungu made his debut for Bafana Bafana during their 2–0 win over Burkina Faso national football team in August 2013. Later that year, he scored his first international goal against Swaziland.

Just 11 days after the confirmation of Zungu’s deal with Portuguese side Vitoria de Guimaraes in January, it was announced that the 23-year-old star a suffered a hairline fracture of the shin; an injury that cost him a role in Sundowns’ charge to the title.\

Zungu’s PSL honours:

PSL: 2013-14; 2015-16

Nedbank Cup: 2014-15

Telkom Knockout: 2015-16