The next Mayambela
Mihlali Mayambela
THERE were many talented footballers on show at the Metropolitan (Bayhill) Premier Under-19 Cup, but few displayed the raw ability of the tournament’s stand- out performer, Mihlali Mabhuti Mayambela. The Khayelitsha-born attacking midfielder, who is on the books of NFD side Cape Town All Stars, featured for Gugulethubased JL Zwane at the tournament, helping the side to the Final where they lost 1-0 to Glendene United. With a silky first touch, Mayambela’s control and pace made him too hot to handle for most opposition defences, as he went on to score six times in the tournament, including two superb free-kicks, one of which came in extra-time win over Swansea City (pictured).
The younger brother of former Orlando Pirates, Bloemfontein Celtic and Djurgardens winger Mark Mayambela, Mihlali’s performances at the ‘Bayhill’ won him not only the Player of the Tournament award but also, he hopes, interest from other clubs. “I was happy with my personal achievements, it was a great way to raise my profile, but I was also very disappointed not to have helped my team win the competition,” the 18-year- old says. “Yes, there has been some interest from other clubs, but nothing concrete yet. My focus for now is at All Stars – I have to work very hard to get more game-time, because the players that are in the starting eleven are all doing well, the team is winning, so it’s understandable that the coach has not been using me that much.” He refers to big brother Mark as “my hero, someone who has inspired me and done so much for my family” and recalls a story of how the elder sibling once sold the family’s television to fund his transport for a trial at Bloemfontein Celtic. Having spent time at both the Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs academies, both of which overlooked him, the younger Mayambela has made it no secret that his dream would be to play for Chiefs rather than to follow in his brother’s footsteps and star for the Buccaneers. “I enjoyed some time training at Chiefs and they are a team I always wanted to play for. I trained with the reserves. It was tough, Stuart Baxter came down to watch us a couple of times. There are many top players there, so it’s not easy. But I learned from the experience, it made me stronger and it matured me,” says Mayambela, who plans to pursue a Sports Management Diploma this year.