There is a new twist to the Ramahlwe Mphahlele saga at DStv Premiership side AmaZulu.
It was a surprise last week when AmaZulu coach Romain Folz confirmed that Keagan Buchanan and Mphahlele had left the club.
Buchanan was a Benni McCarthy signing in July 2021, while Mphahlele joined the Durban side from Kaizer Chiefs at the start of the current season.
Making 22 appearances for Usuthu, Mphahlele’s stint in Durban seemed to have no blight until the announcement that raised eyebrows.
RAMAHLWE MPHAHLELE DEEMED SURPLUS TO REQUIREMENTS
The 33-year-old defender was deemed surplus to requirements with only seven games to go.
Interestingly, insiders told SN24 that the club’s president Sandile Zungu met the entire team. What came out of that meeting was a reassurance that the technical team should not stress about their future, as players should also take responsibility for their recent poor results.
Folz has a new three-year deal that kicks in at the start of July despite having only won one league game in the last nine matches since the beginning of 2023.
Boldly, when quizzed about departures, the Frenchman said he always does what is best for the team.
“We decided to let them go elsewhere because I believe it’s best for the team and the club,” he said.
AmaZulu are sitting at number 12 on the log table with 28 points, having only won six games in 24 matches.
QUESTIONS WERE RAISED
“I always do what’s best for the team. That’s my only priority. We have a clear vision of where we want to go. It’s a process. Things don’t just happen, so you have to take decisions. Every decision we take is for the team’s benefit, and looking to improve what we have. Every decision that we take is to get positive results and outcomes.”
SN24 has since established that the AmaZulu management on Monday held a meeting and Mphahlele’s name came up.
Questions were raised over why he had been kicked out of the club. Indications are that the club may now reconsider their decision and engage the veteran defender.
“I think General Manager and the coach didn’t want Rama. It seems the president was misinformed about him and is rethinking the decision,” the AmaZulu source said.
Interestingly, Lehlohonolo Majoro, who had initially been axed, was brought back to the club.
It is unclear what the process to bring him back involved was.