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South African U23 international believes Usuthu can help him reach his full potential
Mamelodi Sundowns winger Phakamani Mahlambi says lack of playing time was the main reason he left the Tshwane giants.
The South African youth international completed his loan to AmaZulu FC from the Sundowns on Monday at the transfer deadline.
Mahlambi played just eight Premier Soccer League (PSL) games for Masandawana last season and was unable to appear with the team this season before moving to Usuthu.
The speedy player, who has made two international appearances for Bafana Bafana, is eager to play regularly at club level to rejoin the senior team.
“If I stayed at Sundowns, it is clear that I was not going to play, I was not going to be selected for the national team,” Mahlambi said in Daily sun.
“So, I had to find a way to get playing time so that the coach of the national team can select me again.
“It is my intention to go back to playing football and to go back to what the people of Phakamani know.”
Mahlambi was one of South Africa’s top prospects during his time with the now-defunct Bidvest Wits, before securing a major transfer to Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly in 2017.
However, the Johannesburg-born player has built a reputation as a bad boy since his days at Al Ahly, where he was frustrated by lack of playing time and reports of his indiscipline emerged.
Nicknamed Phaka, Mahlambi was sold to Sundowns in 2018 and was reportedly suspended from the Masandawana biobubble camp for allegedly coming to train drunk along with Andile Jali in August 2020.
After joining his fourth club in his young career, Phaka is determined to play his best football in Usuthu, as this would help him reach his full potential.
“AmaZulu has quality players, some that I played with and others that I grew up watching. I hope they help me reach my full potential, “he added.
“I will help the team win trophies and finish in the top four, as the president [Sandile Zungu] said.”
Mahlambi was introduced by AmaZulu alongside former Chippa United goalkeeper Veli Mothwa as the ambitious Durban club look to secure a top-four result at PSL this season.
AmaZulu is scheduled to face Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila in a league match at Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday.
