Hunt pins hopes on his new boy wonder
PHAKAMANI Mahlambi could be the X-factor for Bidvest Wits in their effort to win the 2016-17 Premier Soccer League title‚ said Clever Boys coach Gavin Hunt‚ calling the 19year-old striker the “best player in South Africa”. Hunt said‚ realistically‚ young tearaway striking prodigy Mahlambi might be capable of making a handful of substitu appearances in December returning from an anterior cruciate ligament injury he sustained in late February.
Wits’ coach said his highlyrated U23 international striker‚ who Hunt has compared to a young Benni McCarthy‚ is on track to perhaps play a few games in December.
However‚ with the PSL breaking for a month over January for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations‚ February might be a more realistic target.
Hunt said Mahlambi’s return‚ along with that of clinical English striker James Keene‚ could give Wits added impetus when their strong squad seem almost certain to be challenging for the PSL title at the death end of the season.
“Phakamani is training. James is training. But Phakamani needs nine months – it’s seven-and-a-half now‚” said Hunt.
“So for me it looks like February‚ because in January there is no football.
“Maybe I can get him back in late December‚ give him 20 minutes or so [in games]. Because he’s the X-factor. He’s the best player in South Africa.”
Hunt said Mahlambi’s age is on his side recovering from such a long injury break.
“If you compare him to a Khama Billiat [Sundowns’ 2015-16 PSL player of the season] – Billiat’s 25‚ this boy’s 19.
“OK he’s had a major problem. But he’s the same type of player [as Billiat]‚ he’s got the same elusiveness and ability to turn.
“Quickness‚ pace – all those things‚ he’s got that.
“And he was the main reason we lost the league [finishing runners-up last season] – because we lost Phakamani‚ Keene‚ Papy Faty and ‘Tyson’ [Thulani Hlatshwayo] with eight games to go.”
Wits are top of the PSL on 16 points‚ the only team unbeaten and have played just six games‚ while all other teams have played seven or eight‚ apart from Sundowns on three. — TMG Digital