“My father loved Kaizer Chiefs,” says David Zulu, who joined the Amakhosi on a two-and-a-half year contract. “And now I am here. This is a dream come true.”

Zulu joined the Amakhosi this year from Chippa United. The striker scored five league goals for the Port Elizabeth-based side this season.

Last week, when Chiefs started training, Zulu struggled with a light injury, but today, Monday, he had his first training session on the pitch. He looked lively and at home during a practice game.

The player’s father has since passed away, but it’s from him that Zulu got his passion for the Amakhosi. The striker, however, nearly never became a professional player, because his father, despite being an eager soccer supporter, wanted David to concentrate on his studies.

But soccer was in the kid’s blood. When watching a Chiefs game on television, he and some friends would go out at halftime to kick a ball. They usually completely lost track of time, missing the second half as a result.

“You say that you love soccer so much,” his father teased David after coming home. “But you didn’t see Chiefs’ second half.”

Before Chippa United, the now 28-year-old striker played for Black Leopards and Pimville Youngsters. Zulu has one Bafana Bafana cap, scoring a goal as well. He made his debut towards the end of last year against Ivory Coast in the Nelson Mandela Challenge. Bafana won 2-0.

Zulu is impressed with the excellent training facilities at Chiefs Village, including the High Performance Centre. From the South African national team camp he also knows Tefu Mashamaite and Itumeleng Khune. “All the players have made me very welcome,” he says. “That’s really great to see.”

“I will work very hard to help the team win the championship,” Zulu promises the Amakhosi fans.

He can’t wait for Friday evening’s friendly against German side TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. The game will be played at Soweto’s FNB Stadium (kick-off at 19:30).