Bongani Zungu joins Malappuram FC’s Onam celebrations in India

Abdul Karim August 31, 2026

Bongani Zungu has wasted little time embracing life at Malappuram FC, joining his new team-mates as the Indian club celebrated Onam.

The former Bafana Bafana midfielder was announced as a Malappuram FC player on Sunday, beginning another chapter in a career that has already taken him beyond South Africa.

Zungu, 33, left AmaZulu FC as a free agent at the end of last season. His departure opened the way for a further move abroad, with India now the latest destination in a career that has included spells in Europe.

The midfielder has previously played in France, Portugal and Scotland. He will now test himself in Indian football after agreeing to join Malappuram FC.

The club offered an early glimpse of Zungu settling into his new surroundings when it posted on Instagram on Sunday. In the images and footage shared by Malappuram FC, the South African was shown taking part in the club’s Onam celebrations alongside his new team-mates.

Onam is an annual harvest festival and an important Hindu cultural celebration, observed mainly by people in Kerala, the region where Malappuram is located. Zungu’s involvement gave the club’s announcement a cultural dimension as he joined in an occasion central to the local community.

His participation also provided an early indication of his willingness to engage with his new environment following his move from AmaZulu FC. The announcement of his signing had already confirmed that the experienced midfielder would continue his career outside South Africa, having previously built up international experience in several European countries.

Zungu’s next challenge will be to adapt to football in India after his time in France, Portugal and Scotland. For now, his introduction to Malappuram FC has included both the formal announcement of his arrival and a first opportunity to share in the celebrations surrounding his new club.

The move represents another overseas assignment for the 33-year-old, who has represented Bafana Bafana and most recently played for AmaZulu FC. He left the Durban-based club as a free agent at the conclusion of the previous campaign before Malappuram FC became his next destination.

Malappuram FC’s social media post showed the club presenting Zungu as part of its group during the Onam festivities. The scene underlined the contrast between his previous experience in European football and his new surroundings in Kerala, while also marking the start of his relationship with the Indian side.