Once hailed as the ‘next Benni McCarthy,’ Phakamani Mahlambi’s career trajectory has been nothing short of perplexing.
From the dizzying heights of Al Ahly to a seemingly endless loan carousel, the 26-year-old South African forward finds himself at a crossroads.
Mahlambi’s exit from Mamelodi Sundowns in July 2022 marked the culmination of a frustrating period. Despite glimpses of his undeniable talent, inconsistent playing time and reported fitness issues hampered his progress. Loan spells at AmaZulu and Chippa United failed to reignite his spark, leaving Sundowns with no choice but to cut ties.
WHAT GAVIN HUNT SAID ABOUT PHAKAMANI MAHLAMBI
Now, the question everyone is asking is: what next for Mahlambi?
His former coach, Gavin Hunt, has opened up on the Bidvest Wits prodigy’s demise.
“Biggest waste of talent, biggest disgrace,” Hunt summed it up on YouTube channel This Is Football Africa. “We had him in our youth team [at Wits], and he played wide. I took him in the first team, I played him upfront. We played the first game against Platinum Stars away. I played him number nine, and he scored a hat trick.”
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Hunt recalls how the move to Egyptian giants happened.
“We went to play Al Ahly in Egypt. They ended up signing him. His salary went from R20 000 to R500 000 a month. They put him in a hotel. There’s only one way. He comes back, he’s at Sundowns, and then he falls away.”
Twice, Hunt tried reviving his ailing career but revealed that he “fell out of love with the game”. Coincidentally, a source close to Mahlambi told SN24 that the talented attacker wants nothing to do with football.
“I bring him down to Chippa [United]. In the first game against [Orlando] Pirates, he scores a goal. He’s 10 kilos overweight. In the second game against Stellenbosch FC, he snaps his Achilles tendon. He’s out for the season.”
When Mahlambi sought an opportunity at SuperSport, Hunt says he made his battle with weight gain clear, emphasising the need for a dedicated training regimen.
“He phoned me when I moved to SuperSport and said, ‘Can I come and train?’. I said, ‘Phakamani, you don’t need six weeks; you need six months.” I got him no football, he was pulling tyres, he was losing weight like this. He just stops. He fell out of love with the game. He’s 23 or 24 [Mahlambi is currently 26]. Disgrace.”
RAW TALENT UNDENIABLE
While some clubs could be interested, his physical condition will prove a stumbling block. Mahlambi has reportedly stopped training and insists he is done with football.
The whispers of a “downward spiral” and a “lost potential” are growing louder. Sadly, amidst the doubt, there is no flicker of hope. Mahlambi’s raw talent remains undeniable. His pace, dribbling skills, and eye for goal are qualities that shouldn’t be easily discarded.
However, the onus lies squarely on his shoulders. He must demonstrate a renewed commitment, not just to the discipline and dedication required at the highest level.
The football world awaits his next move. Will he heed the wake-up call and reclaim his early promise? Or will his once-bright flame continue to flicker and fade?
Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Phakamani Mahlambi has a narrative yet to be completed, a puzzle waiting to be solved. And in the unpredictable world of South African football, anything is possible.