While Bafana Bafana and Premier Soccer League (PSL) forwards are firing blanks left, right and centre, Mfundo “Banda” Bonyongo is banging in goals almost every game for SAB League Buffalo City side Relatives FC.
“Banda” has scored 12 goals in 12 matches so far this season with 18 games to go and he has already surpassed last season’s top PSL goal scorer Bernard Parker who put in a mere 10 goals in 30 games.
Just who is Bonyongo?
The 23-year-old grew up in NU7 in Mdantsane and before playing for Relatives played for Seven Stars, Black Ocean and FC Buffalo.
However, had he conformed to the sports culture of Zamani Lower Primary School ,which he attended at the beginning of his schooling life, Bonyongo would have taken the cricket route, which was the prioritised sport at the school. But he was recruited by Zamani Higher Primary School to pursue his football passion.
At that stage he also joined a Mdantsane LFA (Local Football Association) side, Seven Stars.
At first, the lethal striker chose soccer simply because it was a popular sport for young boys in the township.
But after realising he was gifted, he started taking it seriously.
“At Seven Stars I played for their U13, U15 and U17 teams while I was playing for the school as well,” he said.
“I was then signed by Black Ocean in 2006 and I have never looked back – here I am today doing what I know and do best – scoring goals.”
Interestingly, Bonyongo started off as a defender and has played in almost every position but maintains up front is where he decided to settle and has no intentions to switch to any other position again.
He is the kind of footballer who is not ashamed to blow his own horn. After all, he can back it up.
“Every team I have played for so far have become title contenders.
“I am not boasting but that is a fact and you can check for yourself.”
Indeed, FC Buffalo won the ABC Motsepe League EC in 2011 when Bonyongo was on their books.
The composed forward, although ready, is in no rush for a PSL club move but added if it happened he would jump at the opportunity, only if it did not lead him to Naturena.
The Kaizer Chiefs supporter believes a move straight to the big boys would come with unnecessary pressure, hence he would rather start at “an average team” to adjust to the atmosphere of playing at that level.
For now, his focus is to help Relatives gain promotion to the Motsepe League, which he believes is possible, with the Mdantsane outfit currently second on the SAB League with only one loss in 10 games.
Bonyongo’s goal-scoring technique is simple: “Be calm, confident, compose yourself and do not be afraid to eliminate opposition defenders when they are in your way.
“In life it is the same as eliminating your enemies if they are the barricade to success.”
What also gives him the oomph to score in every match, he said, was the ambition and motivation shared by the whole team, starting at the top with chairman Siphatho Handi and going right down to the players.
Bonyongo believes in his scoring prowess and his goal is simple: score at least score one goal in every game.
He said: “When the curtain comes down on 2014/2015 after all 30 matches, I will have 30 goals or more to my name.
“But I must emphasise that were it not for my teammates who supply me with the ball, especially fellow forward Inga Meth, I would not be able to score.”
Lethal striker in no rush to join big club
“Banda” has scored 12 goals in 12 matches so far this season with 18 games to go and he has already surpassed last season’s top PSL goal scorer Bernard Parker who put in a mere 10 goals in 30 games.
Just who is Bonyongo?
The 23-year-old grew up in NU7 in Mdantsane and before playing for Relatives played for Seven Stars, Black Ocean and FC Buffalo.
However, had he conformed to the sports culture of Zamani Lower Primary School ,which he attended at the beginning of his schooling life, Bonyongo would have taken the cricket route, which was the prioritised sport at the school. But he was recruited by Zamani Higher Primary School to pursue his football passion.
At that stage he also joined a Mdantsane LFA (Local Football Association) side, Seven Stars.
At first, the lethal striker chose soccer simply because it was a popular sport for young boys in the township.
But after realising he was gifted, he started taking it seriously.
“At Seven Stars I played for their U13, U15 and U17 teams while I was playing for the school as well,” he said.
“I was then signed by Black Ocean in 2006 and I have never looked back – here I am today doing what I know and do best – scoring goals.”
Interestingly, Bonyongo started off as a defender and has played in almost every position but maintains up front is where he decided to settle and has no intentions to switch to any other position again.
He is the kind of footballer who is not ashamed to blow his own horn. After all, he can back it up.
“Every team I have played for so far have become title contenders.
“I am not boasting but that is a fact and you can check for yourself.”
Indeed, FC Buffalo won the ABC Motsepe League EC in 2011 when Bonyongo was on their books.
The composed forward, although ready, is in no rush for a PSL club move but added if it happened he would jump at the opportunity, only if it did not lead him to Naturena.
The Kaizer Chiefs supporter believes a move straight to the big boys would come with unnecessary pressure, hence he would rather start at “an average team” to adjust to the atmosphere of playing at that level.
For now, his focus is to help Relatives gain promotion to the Motsepe League, which he believes is possible, with the Mdantsane outfit currently second on the SAB League with only one loss in 10 games.
Bonyongo’s goal-scoring technique is simple: “Be calm, confident, compose yourself and do not be afraid to eliminate opposition defenders when they are in your way.
“In life it is the same as eliminating your enemies if they are the barricade to success.”
What also gives him the oomph to score in every match, he said, was the ambition and motivation shared by the whole team, starting at the top with chairman Siphatho Handi and going right down to the players.
Bonyongo believes in his scoring prowess and his goal is simple: score at least score one goal in every game.
He said: “When the curtain comes down on 2014/2015 after all 30 matches, I will have 30 goals or more to my name.
“But I must emphasise that were it not for my teammates who supply me with the ball, especially fellow forward Inga Meth, I would not be able to score.”
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