Once upon a time at Mamelodi Sundowns was a very tall striker of 2 meters height. His name was Lungisani Ndlela and he was loved. What is he up to these days?
WHERE’S FORMER MAMELODI SUNDOWNS STRIKER LUNGISANI NDLELA?
Truth be told, Ndlela did not really set the world alight as a striker for Sundowns. However, his big and bright smile, as well as his outstanding height, endeared him to the Kabo Yellow supporters. The former Sundowns star also delivered a charming dance during his goal celebrations.
Born in the small town of Frankfort in the Free State in 1980, Ndlela tasted the highest level at Maritzburg City in 2000. He soon became a journeyman by moving to the University of Pretoria, Moroka Swallows, SuperSport United, Sundowns and then United FC in the first division (now called the Motsepe Foundation Championship).
Soon after the end of his career, the former Sundowns star struggled to make ends meet. Ndlela finally decided to seek employment as a prison warder in Witbank, Mpumalanga.
“I’m still working at Correctional Services eMalahleni. I’ve been there since 2012 after the contract ended at Swallows. There were issues with the contract so I had to make a plan and I started working,” Ndlela said via Radio 2000 last year.
“Lungi has done well for himself. At least he’s got an income, unlike other former soccer stars who prefer to live on handouts,” an associate said via TimesLIVE.
“Lungi is popular in prison as people still recognise him. He’s jolly but takes his job seriously,” a friend of the former Sundowns star also added.
UP NEXT FOR KABO YELLOW
Meanwhile, Ndlela’s former club will be in DStv Premiership action this weekend. Royal AM will travel from KwaZulu Natal to face Sundowns at the Lucas Moripe Stadium at 17:30 on Saturday. Rulani Mokwena‘s side have already won the league last week with six games to spare.
Sundowns also won the African Football League last year and are eyeing a treble. Kabo Yellow will take on Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final, which will be played on 1 June at the Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga.
Sundowns’ Ronwen Williams, Thapelo Maseko, and coach Mokwena slept late last night. The trio was at the inaugural COSAFA awards in Johannesburg. Williams won the Goalkeeper of the Year, Maseko the Most Promising Player of the Year, while Mokwena was named the Coach of the Year.