Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Bongani Zungu has defended Paris Saint-Germain and Brazil superstar Neymar against criticism that he appears to go down to the ground easily from challenges.
Neymar's recent spate of injuries continued at the ongoing World Cup in Qatar after he picked up an ankle injury in the Selecao's opening group game against Serbia.
There were concerns that the 30-year forward's tournament would be over but reports quickly emerged that the Brazil talisman could return for the knockout stages after the swelling on his ankle significantly decreased.
Zungu, who has faced Neymar a number of times at club level for Amiens while they were still in Ligue 1 says people who criticize the Brazilian superstar have not seen him in action on the pitch because he's completely the opposite.
Read: Inside Sundowns: Galaxy Of Stars Return To Chloorkop
The Bafana Bafana midfielder also went on to back Neymar to have an outstanding tournament.
"People judge Neymar based on what they see on TV but having played against him the man is very strong mentally, he's just a bully on the pitch," Zungu told the media at the Carling Black Label Cup score predictor event.
"And if you kick him he comes back, he's so confident and I think he's gonna kill it, because he also mentioned that this might be his last World Cup so, I think he's gonna kill it, he's a boss on the pitch."
Zungu made 52 appearances for Amiens in Ligue 1 and 75 overall for the French side who got relegated in a 2019/20 season after the French football governing body suspended the top two leagues in the country, with ten round of matches to play, indefinitely following the Covid-19 outbreak.
Read: Baloyi: Why Downs Coaches Should Not Be On One Bench
The league positions were declared final in April 2020, with PSG awarded the title and bottom two teams, Amiens and Toulouse relegated.
Zungu went out on loan to Scottish giants Rangers in October 2020 and returned in June 2021, with a year left on his contract at the relegated Amiens.
'Ben 10' already expressed his unwillingness to remain with Amiens beyond the expiry of his contract and after being heavily linked with Kaizer Chiefs since he was eligible to sign a pre-contract in January this year, he was eventually re-signed by Sundowns early this season as a free agent.
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
