Devine Lunga made history for Zimbabwe when he became the first player from his country to compete at the expanded FIFA Club World Cup. The 30-year-old left-back helped Mamelodi Sundowns beat Ulsan HD from South Korea 1-0 during their opening Group F match on Wednesday. The victory marked another milestone as Sundowns became the first African team to win a game at the new tournament format. Lunga played such a strong match that experts put him on the Team of the First Round. His performance earned him the top rating among all left-backs at 8 out of 10 points.
The defender dominated his position throughout the entire game against the Korean side. He made more tackles than any other player on the field and saved a certain goal with a crucial clearance near his team's goal line during the first half. Sofascore picked him for their Best XI team alongside six players from Bayern Munich. He was the only African defender good enough to make this elite group. His solid defending helped his team keep their clean sheet and secure all three points.
Lunga started his career at Ajax Hotspurs back home in Bulawayo before moving to Chicken Inn. His big break came during the 2018 COSAFA Cup tournament when Zimbabwe won the trophy under coach Sunday Chidzambwa. That strong showing helped him earn a transfer to Golden Arrows before joining Sundowns. He has permanent residency status which allows the club to register him as a local player rather than a foreign import.
The defender dominated his position throughout the entire game against the Korean side. He made more tackles than any other player on the field and saved a certain goal with a crucial clearance near his team's goal line during the first half. Sofascore picked him for their Best XI team alongside six players from Bayern Munich. He was the only African defender good enough to make this elite group. His solid defending helped his team keep their clean sheet and secure all three points.
Lunga started his career at Ajax Hotspurs back home in Bulawayo before moving to Chicken Inn. His big break came during the 2018 COSAFA Cup tournament when Zimbabwe won the trophy under coach Sunday Chidzambwa. That strong showing helped him earn a transfer to Golden Arrows before joining Sundowns. He has permanent residency status which allows the club to register him as a local player rather than a foreign import.
