Zuko Mdunyelwa

Zuko Mdunyelwa

Personal information
Date of birth	(1999-07-09) 9 July 1999 (age 25)
Position(s)	Defender
Team information
Current team	Mamelodi Sundowns
Number	44
Youth career
	YSD Macassar
	Ikapa United
	Cape Town City
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2019–2021	Cape Town City	0	(1)
2020–2021	→ Cape Umoya United (loan)	15	(1)
2021–2024	Chippa United	55	(0)
2024–	Mamelodi Sundowns	9	(0)
International career^‡
	South Africa U-20
	South Africa U-23
2022	South Africa	3	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 30 June 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 28 March 2024

Zuko Mdunyelwa (born 9 July 1999) is a South African soccer player who plays as a defender for Mamelodi Sundowns in the Premier Soccer League.

Mdunyelwa came through the academy YSD Macassar. He was included in an Ikapa United team that played international tournaments.^[1][2] He was promoted to the first team of Cape Town City in August 2020, during the postponed 2019-20 South African Premier Division campaign. At the time, he was an under-20 international. He helped win the 2018 COSAFA U-20 Cup, but for the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup he was only included in the preliminary and not the final squad.^[3] He spent time on loan at Cape Umoya United in the National First Division. He then joined Chippa United and made his first-tier debut in the 2021-22 South African Premier Division.^[4]

Mdunyelwa was called up for South Africa for the 2022 COSAFA Cup, where he made his international debut against Mozambique.^[5] The match ended in a penalty shootout, where Mdunyelwa scored his penalty kick, but South Africa lost.^[6] During the consolation tournament, in the "plate semi final" against Madagascar, Mdunyelwa recorded an assist.^[7] Mdunyelwa also played the 2022 African Nations Championship qualification match against the Comoros.^[5]

In the winter of 2023, there were talks of a transfer to Stellenbosch and even the signing of a "pre-contract".^[8] He instead remained in Chippa United, until Mamelodi Sundowns signed him during the 2023–24 winter window. Rhulani Mokwena explained the need to have another right back in the squad alongside Khuliso Mudau, with a desire to play Thapelo Morena in another position.^[9]

References

1. Gaffar, Yaseen (30 November 2022). "Breeding young soccer talent". DistriksPos. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
2. Cupido, Tasmin (26 March 2018). "Local footballers off to Texas". Netwerk 24. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
3. Ditlhobolo, Austin (11 August 2020). "Mdunyelwa: Cape Town City promote Amajita defender and six youngsters". Goal. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
4. Zuko Mdunyelwa at Soccerway
5. Zuko Mdunyelwa at National-Football-Teams.com
6. Dindi, Sithembiso (13 July 2022). "Mkhalele's young Bafana put up a fight but succumb on penalties to Moz". Sunday Times. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
7. Dindi, Sithembiso. "Makeshift Bafana through to Cosafa Cup Plate final after beating Madagascar". The Sowetan. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
8. Kohler, Lorenz (1 February 2023). "Stellies Secure Signing On Pre-Contract". iDiski Times. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
9. Mnyandu, Velile (2 January 2024). "Rulani Mokwena: Why Mamelodi Sundowns signed Zuko Mdunyela". SABC Sport. Retrieved 27 March 2024.