The Ivorian joined Sundowns in 2016 from Asec Mimosas and initially took some time to settle at Chloorkop, scoring four goals in 19 appearances in his first season in the PSL.
Zakri landed up playing nine games last term before being loaned to Ajax Cape Town in January where he scored four goals in 10 outings.
The 27-year-old then linked up with the Team of Choice in August on a two-year deal.
"There were so many things," says Zakri when asked why things didn't work out for him at Downs.
"I can't say it was the competition there. Even you knew yourself there it is not the competition, you know who's going to play. Even if you can come, fight, fight, fight at training, but you know who is going to play.
"It's not the competition there. So don't say it's the competition."
Meanwhile, Zakri says he is ready to make his Maritzburg debut against log leaders Bidvest Wits at Harry Gwala Stadium on Saturday night despite not being fully fit.
"Last season the team did well and I'm coming here to continue, not to say to put the team up, up.
"The club signed defenders, they signed midfielders, even strikers. They have everything ready. So for me it's like I'm coming here to go the same way."
He adds: "I'm ready to play on Saturday but I can't say I'm hundred percent physically because I didn't do the pre-season. But I think I'm fifty or seventy percent, I can play."
Fadlu Davids' side finished a best-ever fourth in the league in 2017/18 and reached a maiden Nedbank Cup final.
However, they have started this campaign poorly and also lost the services of key personnel such as Bevan Fransman and Lebohang Maboe
The club have lost three out four games in all competitions, scoring once and conceding five goals in the process.
