Ex-Sundowns star Bongani Zungu finds out that life is tough in Portugal

"They have helped me and gradually I’m getting there‚" Zungu told the Portuguese sports daily O’Jogo.

"I do not feel any pressure. I am totally focused on achieving my ideal physical shape to be able to play.”

Before signing from Mamelodi Sundowns‚ Zungu told the newspaper he had sought out the opinion of Benni McCarthy‚ who won a Uefa Champions League medal with FC Porto‚ and quickly realised that he would face a huge challenge in Portugal.

"He’s a very nice guy. He advised me to fight hard to assert myself and that by going to Portugal I would grow as a footballer. He said I would need to compete.”

• From the shower to the field – Zungu pleased to be back in the mix in Portugal 

Zungu said that once he got to Portugal‚ he quickly realised how tough it would be.

“There is an abundance of quality in our squad. But that is good for me. It forces me to work. It will be a good challenge‚ " the former ’Downs midfielder said.

Adaptation is usually also a problem for foreign footballers in a land where the language is different.

"I came alone to Portugal but I have made friends. Soon‚ my family will come to visit me. Vitoria is a large club and has great fans‚" Zungu said.

• Portugal-bound Zungu has sights set on emulating legendary Benni McCarthy 

Pretoria-based businessman Mario Ferreira‚ who is the majority shareholder of Guimaraes‚ organised the transfer.

“He has encouraged me and told me to fight for my goals. That will be crucial to my growth.”

Zungu’s injury was enough to rule the 23-year-old out of the rest of Sundowns’ championship-winning season but not enough to torpedo his move overseas.

He is expected he will be available to play in the next weeks.

Guimaraes have already played five games of the new season and sit in 10th place in the standings.

– TMG Digital