Teen Mahlambi in line for Bafana debut
TEENAGER Phakamani Mahlambi can’t wait to don the Bafana Bafana jersey, but will be hopeful of making his senior debut when Angola take on South Africa in an international friendly at Buffalo City Stadium in East London today.
Mahlambi played a key role in helping the South African Under-20 team qualify for the 2017 Fifa Under-20 World Cup which will be played in South Korea in May.
He did not play in the 3-1 win over Guinea-Bissau over the weekend, but fancied his chances in the clash against Angola today.
“I am hoping to get a run because the coach had said there will be a rotation of players and should I get the nod, I will grab the opportunity with both hands and do the best for my country.
“Obviously I want to test my readiness for the senior team, and I have to thank the technical team for selecting me. I trust that God protects me from any injuries as I am looking forward to play and showcase my talent on a bigger stage,” said Mahlambi.
The other youngster also called up to the Bafana squad is Portugal-based Luther Singh, who is Mahlambi’s teammate in the Amajita squad. Both grew up admiring senior players in the national team such as Thulani Hlatshwayo, Erick Mathoho, Dean Furman, Thulani Serero, Itumeleng Khune, Kamohelo Mokotjo, Andile Jali, Keagan Dolly and Kermit Erasmus – now they get to play alongside them.
“It’s an honour for me and Luther to come and play alongside the big names in South African football, and for us this is a motivation – as you know we are going to play the Under-20 World Cup. For us being in the Bafana Bafana squad is a learning period where we need to get some experience to the Under-20 squad because we want to win that tournament,” added Mahlambi.
Bafana have faced Angola
Squad
Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Darren Keet (Wits), Shuaib Walters (Cape Town City), Ramahlwe Mphahlele (Kaizer Chiefs), Rivaldo Coetzee (Ajax Cape Town), Thulani Hlatshwayo (Wits), Erick Mathoho (Kaizer Chiefs), Lorenzo Gordinho (Kaizer Chiefs), Diamond Thopola (Chippa United), Tebogo Langerman (Mamelodi Sundowns), Hlompho Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thabo Mnyamane (Supersport United), Keagan Dolly (Montpellier, France), Andile Jali (KV Oostende, Belgium), Kamohelo Mokotjo (FC Twente, Netherlands), Tiyani Mabunda (Mamelodi Sundowns), Dean Furman (Supersport United), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thulani Serero (Ajax Amsterdam, Holland), Percy Tau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lebohang Manyama (Cape Town City), Phakamani Mahlambi (Wits), Lars Veldwijk (KV Kortrijk, Belgium), Kermit Erasmus (Lens, France), Luther Singh (Sporting Braga, Portugal) 7pm on 12 occasions, winning eight times and drawing three matches while losing only once. But Mahlambi is confident of another victory.
“Yes it’s a big game against Angola, but we are not worried about them because we have a good squad of players, and we showed against Guinea-Bissau what we are capable of. I don’t think the changes that are expected in the team will affect us much because everyone is performing so well,” said Mahlambi.
Having beaten Guinea-Bissau convincingly in Durban on Saturday, Mahlambi doesn’t believe they have put themselves under pressure to do well against Angola.
“I don’t think we are under any pressure to get a positive result because we have been doing well in the last few matches – we have now gone 16 games unbeaten.
“While I have the utmost respect for Angola, I also believe we can do better against them than we did against Guinea-Bissau. The boys are really working hard with a lot of healthy competition for places in the team, so we just need to go and play our normal football like we did in Durban and the result will come,” said Mahlambi. – ANA