Dumisani Zuma Opens Up About Kaizer Chiefs Exit and Career Challenges

Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Dumisani Zuma has candidly spoken about the difficulties he faced during his time at the club and the challenges that led to his departure. The talented yet troubled attacker, who is currently without a club, has acknowledged that his issues off the field played a significant role in his career struggles.

Struggles at Kaizer Chiefs

Zuma, now 29, joined Kaizer Chiefs in 2017 and spent five years with the club before his contract was terminated in June 2022 due to disciplinary issues, including an incident involving alcohol abuse. Reflecting on his time at Amakhosi, Zuma admitted that his behavior may have contributed to his exit but denied having a serious problem with alcohol.

Speaking to Andile Ncube on Snawa, Zuma revealed:

“I started training this year because last year I took a break from football activities as it was too much for me. I wasn’t in the right state of mind. I didn’t stop playing because I lost passion, but because I felt it would be unfair to join a team and fail to deliver in terms of performance.”

He further explained that while he was caught under the influence of alcohol at Chiefs, he does not believe he has an alcohol problem.

“At Kaizer Chiefs, a lot happened. Maybe I had misbehaving problems. But I don’t have challenges with alcohol. I was caught once under the influence, and after that, we mutually parted ways. The club sent me to see a psychologist, and the psychologist told me that I don’t have problems.”

Despite the challenges, Zuma expressed gratitude for the club’s support, stating:

“At Chiefs, they take you as their son. Now I take it as a man that if I want to change, it’s all on me. No one can help me except myself. But I admit that having too many friends and going out too much was a challenge for me.”

Post-Chiefs Career and Current Status

Following his departure from Chiefs, Zuma joined AmaZulu FC, where he spent just one season before moving to Moroka Swallows FC for the 2023/24 season. However, his stint at Swallows was short-lived, and he was released early in 2024. Since then, he has been without a club.

Zuma remains determined to return to professional football and is currently training independently while awaiting opportunities from interested clubs. As a free agent, he is eligible to sign with a team even outside the transfer window.

What’s Next for Zuma?

As he looks to revive his career, Zuma remains hopeful of securing a new club. While his past challenges have hindered his progress, he appears to be focused on making a strong comeback to the game he loves.

His story serves as a lesson in the importance of discipline and decision-making in professional sports. Whether he gets another chance to showcase his talent remains to be seen, but for now, Zuma continues to work hard in the hope of returning to the top level of South African football.