Kabungu is 27 years old and his time in football has been a character test, from FC Eindhoven, to Willem II, to Union Saint-Gilloise and now to Hearts on loan, brought when his name appeared well in the data of the club’s partner, Jamestown Analytics.
Eight goals in 14 games. It’s not bad, but it could be more, he says. Two against Brechin, two against Dundee, two against St Johnstone, one against Kilmarnock and Ross County. Nothing against a team among the top six.
“I am a striker and I have been important, but I want to be more important,” he said.
“I had a good period and now they are less goals, but I’m still sure. I’m not worried about myself, my work ethics, because I know what I can bring and try to bring it.”
Changing that recent race (without goals in three and only one in seven) against Aberdeen in Hampden on Saturday is the goal. It is a game to help “save our season,” he says.
And, for hearts, it is a season definitely that you need to save. Losing the top six of the league was a gloomy failure.
Kabungu only joined in January, but there has been enough time to know that it is not good enough for a club of its size. He says he barely left the house for a day or two after the 0-0 draw with Motherwell who confirmed his lower destination.
“It is a difficult question to say what went wrong because we worked very hard and I have seen everyone focused. It is painful. Fans are angry and I am also angry.
“We have to demand more and we have to do more, but I cannot remain disappointed. I see much more potential in this team and in this club, so when you do not achieve those goals, it is painful, that is the truth.
“But after that you must accept reality. We have a semifinal and that is important. We need to look forward.”
