Devine Lunga, Mamelodi Sundowns’ left-back, has etched his name into Zimbabwean football folklore by becoming only the second player from his country to compete at the FIFA Club World Cup—following in the footsteps of Khama Billiat, who featured for the same club back in 2016.
Lunga played a full 90 minutes in Sundowns’ opening Group F match, helping them secure a 1-0 victory over South Korea’s Ulsan HD FC on Tuesday. His solid defensive display contributed to a historic win, making Sundowns the first African team to win a match at the expanded edition of the tournament.
From Bulawayo to the World Stage
Born in Bulawayo in May 1995, Lunga began his football journey with Ajax Hotspurs before rising through the ranks at Chicken Inn FC. His breakthrough came after he crossed into South Africa and impressed at Golden Arrows from 2018 to 2021. That form earned him a transfer to Mamelodi Sundowns, where he has become a key squad member—barring a brief loan return to Arrows.
Lunga’s recent form was crucial in helping Sundowns accumulate the CAF ranking points needed to qualify for the tournament.
A Flying Start for Sundowns
Under new head coach Miguel Cardoso, Sundowns kicked off their Club World Cup campaign in style. Iqraam Rayners scored the game’s only goal in the first half, finishing a clever pass from Lucas Ribeiro, just moments after having a previous effort ruled out for handball.
Rayners later had another goal disallowed for offside, but it didn’t matter—Sundowns now sit at the top of Group F after Fluminense and Borussia Dortmund played to a goalless draw.
With Lunga’s name now etched in both club and country history, the Zimbabwean international will be hoping to help Sundowns go even further in the tournament.
