Divine Lunga’s rise to being named in the FIFA Club World Cup Team of the Week upon the completion of matches in the first round of group matches is payback for his efforts.
Lunga was given a score of 8.0 for his efforts against Ulsan HD and was the only player from an African club in the Team of the Week selected by statistics website Sofascore.
Argentine goalkeeper Oscar Ustari of Inter Miami got the nod in goals.
READ | FINALLY: Due recognition from Brazil for Ribeiro again
Frenchman Sacha Boey (Bayern Munich) was selected at right-back with the veteran pair of Spaniard Sergio Ramos (Monterrey) and Argentine Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica) as central defenders along with Lunga at left-back to complete the back four.
The midfield listed German Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich) as the anchorman with his fellow club and country teammate Jama Musiala, along with French pair of Kingsley Coman and Michael Olise (all Bayern Munich) and Portuguese winger Francisco Conceicao (Juventus), completing the midfield.
German veteran Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich) was named up front.
"For the amount of work he invests in his game, Divine deserves this," says former Maritzburg United left-back Khumbulani Banda of the Sundowns defender, who is also named Xolile.
Banda is from the same street as Lunga in the township of Mpopoma, Bulawayo – Zimbabwe.
That same street also fed the PSL with Bhekithemba Ndlovu, who played for Moroka Swallows and Platinum Stars.
"I have always been appreciative of the boy’s application towards his game even when he was playing back home.
"He is an honest and hard-working boy who is never shy to put in the extras, so this has been a long time coming.
"I used to train with him at Inyathi Youth Centre from as early as 05:00 so that by 07h00 we are done.
READ | Mayele’s next move confirmed firmly with Chiefs sent reminders
"There is no way you can invest so much and not have any benefits in the end.
"Long may it continue for him because I take pride in every achievement that he makes," says Banda.
Photo: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
