In three years with Golden Arrows, Divine Lunga established himself as one of the finest left full-backs in the league. As his performance levels grew, so too did interest in his services, as would be expected, and it was Mamelodi Sundowns who pounced and secured his signature, announcing his arrival in July 2021. The Zimbabwean international was joining a star-studded side and had his work cut out for him, and in the end only made 12 appearances in all competitions last season. It was a disappointing return for such a talented defender, with some feeling he was being wasted on the bench whereas he would make the starting line-up week in and week out at almost any other side in the DStv Premiership. As if his former side Abafana Bes'thende heard those cries, they signed the 27-year-old on a season long loan deal. Now back where he feels he belongs,on the pitch, the Divine Lunga of old has resurfaced and will be hoping to help the Durban-based side to a strong finish after what has been an inconsistent season from a team perspective. In this interview with Soccer Laduma's Delmain Faver, the Bulawayo-born defender talks about his ill-fated time at Downs.
Delmain Faver: Divine, you've obviously been back with Golden Arrows, albeit on loan, after one season away at Mamelodi Sundowns. How's the feeling?
Divine Lunga: Yes, big man, it's been quite great to be back at Golden Arrows, home. I was happy about it (the loan move) and I think I'm managing everything. The guys welcomed me with warm hands, so I think it's a good thing.
DF: Your return to the club came as a bit of a surprise considering that you were working your way into the matchday squad at Chloorkop. So, how did it come about?
DL: It was hard for me, but I think everyone was happy about the move. I'm happy about it and I have no complaints about it.
DF: It has, however, appeared to be a masterstroke as you have so far managed to make 21 appearances in all competitions this season…
DL: You can say so because playing week in and week out is every player's dream. I'm so happy that my form is coming back and I'm going back to my best.
DF: This is in contrast to your time with the Brazilians, where you made a meagre 12 appearances in your one season there. Why would you say things just didn't happen for you there?
DL: Everything was okay there. You know, my man, as a player you must be ready for anything. You have to fight for you to play. You know, at Sundowns there's too many quality players in one position, so you have to fight.
DF: Are you saying the number of players in your position had anything to do with your lack of game-time?
DL: Well, it was okay. It wasn't really too much pressure for me because everyone is quality there. If someone else plays, I must be happy for him because he is a quality player. There's no way I can be angry because at Sundowns, everyone is a top player. You just wait for your time and when they put you on the field, you just have to bring that top-notch performance. It's all about patience and putting in a good performance when the chance comes.
DF: How frustrating was it for you when you were putting in the hard work and you were not seeing any results?
DL: No, it didn't give me that frustration, big man, because I know what I want and I knew what I was going to do there. I knew that there's a lot of competition there, so I was ready for anything. I was going to take every stone that they were going to throw at me because I knew I was going into big competition there. It wasn't going to be an easy walk in the park for me. I knew I was going to have to fight, so everything that came my way, I was ready for it.
DF: We hear you.
DL: Ja, they didn't sign me just to sign me because they knew I (have) got something. So, everything that was thrown at me, I knew I would throw back. I would push myself in each and every game that I played in. I knew I had to perform. So, it didn't frustrate me because I knew what I wanted and what I was going to see in Chloorkop at Sundowns. Sundowns is not a small team, it's a big team that wants trophies each and every season, so I knew what I wanted. I couldn't be frustrated because I was ready for anything.
DF: It wasn't all doom and gloom though as you managed to win a domestic treble with the side. This must have made the move feel like worth it, although you made minimal contribution on the field of play.
DL: Ja, for me… I wanted to go and play. With every trophy that we won, I knew I wanted to contribute something to it so that I know that I fought for it. There's sweat in it. There's sweat in the DStv (Premiership), there's sweat in the Nedbank Cup, there's sweat in the MTN8, you see? I didn't wanna be that player that just takes the medal and walks with it. Then when the kids ask you, "Daddy, did you play in this MTN8?", you can say, "Yes, I was there, I played in this game, I played in that game because I wanted to fight."
DF: Speaking of fighting, having gotten a taste of what is required at the Tshwane giants and with your newfound confidence at Abafana Bes'thende, one can imagine that you'll be more determined than ever to fight for your place when you return to Chloorkop.
DL: The game is about fighting. I think now for me, there's no time to relax, I have to keep working hard. If I was working 100 percent, I need to stop because at Sundowns they require 120 percent or 110 percent, you understand? That way, you can keep your game up. It's also about being ready, in any condition, to play. So, I'm gonna work extra hard and then be ready for anything.
DF: Coming in to the Durban-based outfit for your second stint, you were no stranger to coach Mabhudi Khenyeza and Vusumuzi Vilakazi, who know you quite well. What did they say was their expectation of you?
DL: They welcomed me as a normal player. They just said, "Divine, your experience is going to help us a lot because now that we have a different squad to the one that we had when you left, we want you to bring your quality and guide the youngsters because we have a lot of youngsters now. Some you know and some you don't know. Just bring your quality and guide the other players."
DF: True, it's a different Arrows to the one that you left. What are the major differences you've observed in that regard?
DL: There's a huge difference between the squad that I left before and the one that I met now. The boys are getting it right now. I think everything will go well because Arrows is a team that grooms players, you see. Even us, we started like the boys we are playing with now. I think the boys will grow and understand how Golden Arrows play and stuff.
DF: What about you as an individual? Are you the same player that left KwaZulu-Natal at the end of the 2020/21 season?
DL: Ja, I don't think there's a big change. As I was saying, there are different players now. I was first starting to get to know the players and how they want to play and then, in turn, they had to get used to me and the way I want to play. But now they know me. They know that Divine is someone who likes to go up and down. The boys are starting to understand, even though it's a bit later in the season and there are less games, but they are starting to know me. They are used to my type of play. There was a change in my first days when I came back to Arrows, but I think my game is back and everyone knows me and how I play with freedom on the left side.
Sundowns' left back queue…
Aubrey Modiba
Initially signed from SuperSport United as a left winger in 2021, 'Postman' has been the club's first-choice left back this season. Of the 33 matches the Brazilians have played in all competition this campaign, the 27-year-old has featured in 23 and has contributed two goals in all competitions. As part of the Tshwane giants' tactical set-up, Modiba has also featured as an inverted left-back as per coach Rulani Mokwena's requirements. He, however, had a defensive performance to forget against Al Ahly last weekend and has often been seen as a better attacker than defender.
Sifiso Ngobeni
The former Bloemfontein Celtic player has worked his way back from periphery at the side to become the second-choice left back. He returned from a loan spell at SuperSport United and has made 11 appearances in all competitions this season, although injury has kept him sidelined in their last few matches. He was on the bench against Al Ahly last Saturday.
Terrence Mashego
He was signed from Cape Town City as somewhat of a surprise acquisition at the start of the campaign. His season has been blighted by injury, although he featured in Downs' recent draw against Stellenbosch FC in the DStv Premiership. He has made five appearances in all competitions, and made it to the bench against Al Ahly at Loftus Versfeld.
Lyle Lakay
It remains to be seen whether the tactically astute star has made full use of his shock loan move to Cape Town City just a month after the season began. Lakay had featured seven times for the Brazilians before returning to the Mother City, where he has played 13 times so far this season. He is likely to be recalled to Chloorkop and form a key part of the team next season, although age is not on his side.
Divine Lunga
Similarly, Lunga has returned to Golden Arrows and performed with aplomb up to so far. He has missed just two games for Abafana Bes'thende this season, scoring one goal and registering two assists in that period. It remains to be seen what the future holds for the Zimbabwean, but the Siya crew has been informed the Durban-based side are keen to hold on to him on a permanent basis.
DIVINE LUNGA FACT FILE
Date of birth: 28 May 1995
Place of birth: Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Position: Defender
Jersey number: 3
Club: Golden Arrows (on loan)
Previous clubs: Ajax Hotspurs Mpopoma, Chicken Inn juniors, Chicken Inn (both Zimbabwe), Golden
Arrows, Mamelodi Sundowns
Honours: 2021/22 MTN8 winner, 2021/22 DStv Premiership winner, 2021/22 Nedbank Cup winner
(all with Sundowns), 2018 COSAFA Cup winner, 10 Zimbabwean national team caps
