How Sandile Zungu almost joined Pirates before buying AmaZulu

AmaZulu president Sandile Zungu has revealed that he almost joined Orlando Pirates as Dr Irvin Khoza’s deputy.

Dr Khoza is the current chairman of Pirates, and there had been talks of a succession plan given his age.

And Zungu revealed in an interview with Sowetan that there were talks to bring him in at Pirates but that eventually never materialised.

That failed move propelled him to buy AmaZulu, who remain the oldest team in the PSL having been established in 1932.

Furthermore, Zungu revealed that he grew up supporting Pirates, but quickly switched allegiances when he bought AmaZulu.

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ZUNGU REVEALS HE ALMOST JOINED ORLANDO PIRATES BEFORE BUYING AMAZULU

“I grew up supporting Orlando Pirates. I was reminded not so long ago by Mpumi Khoza that his father, [Irvin] Khoza, was telling him that at some stage he wanted to bring me into the leadership of the club as deputy chair,” said Zungu.

“Indeed, he [Irvin] has discussed that with me, but it hadn’t happened by the time an opportunity came to buy AmaZulu.

“I still have a very good heart for Pirates; I don’t want to lie to you. It was my childhood team.

“But my love is for AmaZulu. The club is the oldest team in the PSL, founded in 1932. It’s a legacy project.”

“I know the club will soon be bigger than all these teams, bigger than Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs, and Mamelodi Sundowns.

“It is only a matter of time, and all of that is firmly in our hands. We can feel that we are on the right track,” added Zungu.

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WHO’S LIKELY TO SUCCEED KHOZA AT BUCS?

As things stand, Dr Khoza’s son, Mpumi appears likely to succeed his father at Pirates when that time arrives.

Mpumi has often been seen around the team and his father in important events, as he continues to learn the ropes.