Posted in Cool News, News, Team News on Jun 21, 2018.
Yusuf Bunting was one of the shining stars in Kaizer Chiefs’ MultiChoice Diski Shield winning side, netting four goals in five matches. He has since had a good break, is now refreshed and ready for pre-season with the first team squad. The striker also talks with Kaizerchiefs.com about Youth Month, the importance of education and the 2018 World Cup.
The 22-year-old didn’t go anywhere during off-season. “It was the month of fasting (Sawm) because of Ramadan, so I mostly stayed at home in Lenasia.”
He’s looking forward towards the 2018/2019 season. “I have been working hard during the break to keep my fitness levels high,” Bunting comments. “I am excited and ready. It’s also great that we will play on the African continent, participating in the CAF Confederations Cup starting in early 2019.”
The forward is fully aware that the month of June is Youth Month. “We have to acknowledge the fallen on 16 June 1976, who stood up against the apartheid system. These students fought for our rights to be able to live in freedom and peace.”
It’s a time as well to highlight the value to get educated. “Soccer is not a career option,” Bunting says, “it’s more an opportunity – some talents get that chance to succeed at the professional level, while others don’t.
“Education, however, allows everybody to succeed in life and that’s why studying hard for your future is crucial. I am busy with my second year at Unisa, working hard to become a teacher. Soccer is a short career, so it’s important to have options after retiring from professional football. Besides that, getting educated also improves you as a person.”
Of course, Bunting doesn’t miss out on any World Cup action and is usually found glued to the TV screen. “Portugal has positively surprised me,” he says. “I thought that, besides Ronaldo, they didn’t really have a very competitive team. But that impression was wrong, they have a good side.
“Mexico has also started well, beating Germany. Their winger Lozano has impressed me. I had never heard about him, but he’s brilliant – he has pace, is quick off the mark and is a good finisher, scoring the sole goal against the Germans. The Russians are another side that had an impressive start to the World Cup, having already qualified for the Round of 16.
“The country I support to win the World Cup is England, but they have a habit of chocking at the World Cup. That’s why my back-up to win the trophy is Spain.”
The 22-year-old didn’t go anywhere during off-season. “It was the month of fasting (Sawm) because of Ramadan, so I mostly stayed at home in Lenasia.”
He’s looking forward towards the 2018/2019 season. “I have been working hard during the break to keep my fitness levels high,” Bunting comments. “I am excited and ready. It’s also great that we will play on the African continent, participating in the CAF Confederations Cup starting in early 2019.”
The forward is fully aware that the month of June is Youth Month. “We have to acknowledge the fallen on 16 June 1976, who stood up against the apartheid system. These students fought for our rights to be able to live in freedom and peace.”
It’s a time as well to highlight the value to get educated. “Soccer is not a career option,” Bunting says, “it’s more an opportunity – some talents get that chance to succeed at the professional level, while others don’t.
“Education, however, allows everybody to succeed in life and that’s why studying hard for your future is crucial. I am busy with my second year at Unisa, working hard to become a teacher. Soccer is a short career, so it’s important to have options after retiring from professional football. Besides that, getting educated also improves you as a person.”
Of course, Bunting doesn’t miss out on any World Cup action and is usually found glued to the TV screen. “Portugal has positively surprised me,” he says. “I thought that, besides Ronaldo, they didn’t really have a very competitive team. But that impression was wrong, they have a good side.
“Mexico has also started well, beating Germany. Their winger Lozano has impressed me. I had never heard about him, but he’s brilliant – he has pace, is quick off the mark and is a good finisher, scoring the sole goal against the Germans. The Russians are another side that had an impressive start to the World Cup, having already qualified for the Round of 16.
“The country I support to win the World Cup is England, but they have a habit of chocking at the World Cup. That’s why my back-up to win the trophy is Spain.”
