Phakamani Mahlambi
Phakamani Mahlambi (born 12 September 1997) is a South African professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Mamelodi Sundowns in the Premier Soccer League and the South African national football team.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Phakamani Lungisani Mahlambi | ||
| Date of birth | 12 September 1997 | ||
| Place of birth | Johannesburg, South Africa | ||
| Height | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) | ||
| Playing position(s) | Attacking midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | Mamelodi Sundowns | ||
| Number | 34 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2011–2013 | Transnet School of Excellence | ||
| 2013–2015 | Bidvest Wits | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2015–2017 | Bidvest Wits | 27 | (10) |
| 2017–2018 | Al Ahly | 12 | (1) |
| 2018– | Mamelodi Sundowns | 4 | (1) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2015– | South Africa U23 | 7 | (1) |
| 2017– | South Africa | 2 | (0) |
|
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 9 October 2018 ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 9 October 2018 | |||
Career
Bidvest Wits
Mahlambi started his professional career at Bidvest Wits. He made his debut for the side under manager Gavin Hunt during the 2014–15 season in a 2–1 win over Ajax Cape Town.[1] He became a regular for the Premier Soccer League scoring crucial goals for the side. He scored a brace against Platinum Stars in a 4–0 win. He continued his rich vein of form by scoring another goal against Chippa United.
In February 2016, Mahlambi suffered a torn medial collateral ligament in a 2–1 win over Maritzburg United. He was ruled out for 10 months and as a result missed the remainder of the season and the chance to represented South Africa at the 2016 Olympic Games.[2] Following the injury, Mahlambi required surgery to reattach the ligament in the knee. Doctors revealed that a strand from his hamstring would be removed to do so but indicated that such a procedure would likely have a negative effect his career. In order to avoid such a scenario, Mahlambi's brother, a trialist with Wits himself at the time, provided his own hamstring for the operation.[2] He made his return from injury in December and scored a brace a league win over Free State Stars.[2]
The following year, he was invited to trial with Portuguese side Vitória de Guimarães, but a permanent move failed to materialize.[3]
Al Ahly
Mahalmbi signed a four-year contract with Al Ahly SC on 7 September 2017 for a reported fee of €R1.3 million. Upon joining the club, he became the first South African footballer ever to play in Egypt.[4] Four days later, he scored a brace on his non-competitive debut for the club in a 6–0 friendly win over El Gouna.[5] On 20 November Mahalambi made his first official debut in Egyptian Premier League against Ismaily SC in 2–0 win. Phakamani scored his first goal with Al Ahly against El Mokawloon on 8 February 2018.
International career
Under-23
He started his international career playing for the South African Under-23. He assisted the team to qualify for the Rio Olympics for the first time in 15 years. For South Africa to earn this achievement, Mahlambi scored a goal and assisted a further three. He scored the winning penalty in the third place playoff against the hosts Senegal.
References
- Klate, Chad (20 November 2015). "Phakamani Mahlambi credits Wits coach Gavin Hunt for fine form". Kick Off. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
- Ngidi, Njabulo (20 December 2016). "I'll never be the same after knee injury – Mahlambi". IOL. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
- Klate, Chad (6 September 2017). "Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt: Phakamani Mahlambi learnt a lot on trial at Portugal's Vitoria Guimaraes". Kick Off. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
- "SA's Mahlambi in historic Ahly move". SuperSport. 10 September 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
- "Mahlambi Bags Brace On Ahly Debut". Soccer Laduma. 12 September 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
External links
- Phakamani Mahlambi at Soccerway