Ex-teammate links Mahlambi’s downfall to poor attitude & lack of respect
The rise of Phakamani Mahlambi came to a screeching halt in 2022, and a former teammate pointed the finger at a dark side that may have led to the downfall of the highly-rated star.
The former Bafana Bafana international has been without a club after parting ways with Chippa United at the end of the 2021/22 DStv Premiership season.
Once a rising star tipped for greatness, Mahlambi broke into the scene with Bidvest Wits back in 2016 after he was promoted from the club’s DStv Diski Challenge.
He spent two seasons with the now-defunct Wits before making a historic move to the Egyptian giants Al Ahly in September 2017. The skilful winger became the first South African to play in the Egyptian top flight.
The 26-year-old midfielder endured a frustrating one-year stint at Al Ahly and returned to the PSL to join Mamelodi Sundowns in August 2018.
Mahlambi was in the colours of Masandawana for two seasons before joining AmaZulu FC. During his time at Usuthu, his coach then, Benni McCarthy, complained about the talented midfielder being ill-disciplined.
With only three appearances at Usuthu, Mahlambi left the KZN-based side and joined Chippa United. He lasted only one season with the Chilli Boys and has been unattached since July 2022.
SOMILA NTSUNDWANA SPEAKS ON THE ATTITUDE OF PHAKAMANI MAHLAMBI
His former teammate at Wits, Somila Ntsundwana said the winger is immensely talented but he has to look at his attitude towards the game. Ntsundwana is currently in the books of Richards Bay FC.
“I’ve had the privilege of playing with Phakamani. I’ve seen him in training, and I would be like, ‘What’s this guy doing in the DStv Premiership?'” Ntsundwana told FARPost.
“But I think it goes to attitude and respecting people, so we can say we are going to motivate him and we always be there for him, at the end of the day is up to the individual.
“Phakamani could never go to the papers [media] and say anyone killed his career; it’s him who killed his career. So I feel like when you are at your peak, your surroundings are very important. That’s why I don’t have many people in my surroundings; it’s my mom and sister.
“At this level, you need people who are going to tell you the truth; look at the likes of Themba Zwane at the age of 36; they are still humble; who are you at the age of 25 to think you have made it? You ignore people, and you have an attitude? He rhetorically asked.
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