Veluyeke Zulu

Veluyeke Zulu (born 2 March 1995) is a South African soccer player who plays as a defender for AmaZulu in the Premier Soccer League.[2]

Veluyeke Zulu
Personal information
Date of birth (1995-03-02) 2 March 1995
Place of birth Ulundi, South Africa[1]
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)[1]
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 AmaZulu
Number 24
Youth career
2014–2016 Maritzburg United
2015 → Royal Eagles (loan)
2016–2017 Golden Arrows
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2021 Richards Bay 68 (0)
2021–2022 Chippa United 26 (2)
2022– AmaZulu 10 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 4 August 2023

Zulu hails from Ulundi and attended Nomzimana High School. At the age of 16 he went on trial for the Nike's The Chance talent programme, but was not selected. He later went on trial with Maritzburg United, and joined the youth system there.[3] He also spent time on loan with the Royal Eagles.[4] After the coach who had selected him, Mandla Ncikazi, went from Maritzburg United to Golden Arrows, Zulu followed.[3]

Undisclosed problems kept Zulu from performing well at Golden Arrows, postponing a possible breakthrough. Zulu was persuaded by Richards Bay chairman Jomo Biyela to join that club, playing in the second tier. His national breakthrough there came when Richards Bay eliminated Kaizer Chiefs in the 2020–21 Nedbank Cup.[3]

Zulu was signed by Chippa United, conveying that the chance of playing under Gavin Hunt was an important factor in the transfer. For his new club, Zulu won man-of-the-match awards in back-to-back at the onset of the 2021-22 South African Premier Division. However, Hunt was sacked shortly into the season.[3][5]

Transfer rumours surrounded Zulu, including rumours about the big 3 South African clubs.[6] He ended up signing for AmaZulu in a major squad overhaul for that club, with 15 players being released and 10 signed.[7] Zulu was named in the preliminary South Africa squad for the 2023 COSAFA Cup.[8]

References
  1. Veluyeke Zulu at WorldFootball.net
  2. Veluyeke Zulu at Soccerway
  3. Msimango, Thathe (23 November 2021). "Veluyeke Zulu defies rejection and his name". New Frame. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  4. Veluyeke Zulu at FootballDatabase.eu
  5. Ratsie, Ofentse (27 August 2021). "Veluyeke Zulu credits Gavin Hunt for his chipper start to 2021-22". Sunday Times. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  6. Gwegwe, Siseko (13 April 2022). "Reports: Kaizer Chiefs in talks to sign Veluyeke Zulu". The South African. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  7. Msomi, Smiso (9 June 2022). "AmaZulu announce the signing of 10 players for the new season". IOL. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  8. Gibbs, Herman (25 June 2023). "Bright local talent called up to Bafana COSAFA squad". DFA. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
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