Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere
WARRIORS star Divine Lunga has conquered Africa and joined an exclusive club of Zimbabwean football legends after helping Mamelodi Sundowns lift the CAF Champions League title in spectacular fashion.
The Brazilians edged Moroccan giants AS FAR over two legs in a tense final to be crowned kings of African football and walked away with a staggering US$6 million jackpot.
For Lunga, it was a night of glory, history and riches.
The tough-tackling left-back became one of the few Zimbabweans ever to win Africa’s biggest club competition, placing his name alongside some of the country’s most celebrated football icons.
The runners-up, AS FAR, also smiled all the way to the bank after pocketing US$2 million for their impressive run to the final.
Lunga has now joined the elite company of legendary defender Ephraim Chawanda, who became the first Zimbabwean to conquer Africa when Orlando Pirates won the title in 1995.
Known as the “Rock of Gibraltar” because of his no-nonsense defending, Chawanda opened the door for Zimbabwean players to dream big on the continent.
Years later, Christopher Samakweri followed in those giant footsteps when he lifted the trophy with DR Congo heavyweights TP Mazembe in 2010.
Years later, ex Warriors midfield talisman conquered Africa when he was still in books of Mamelodi Sundowns.
And now the Mpopoma bred Lunga has proudly carried the Zimbabwean flag to the summit once again.
The former Chicken Inn defender has enjoyed a remarkable rise since moving to South Africa and his latest achievement could easily rank as the biggest moment of his career.
With a CAF gold medal around his neck and millions flowing into the Sundowns coffers, Lunga has officially written his name into African football history.
On the other hand, Lunga’s Warriors teammate Daniel Msendami won the South Africa’s elite football league championship with Orlando Pirates. —@FungaiMuderere
