My brother Mark my hero Mayambela
MIHLALI Mayambela can never forget the time his older brother Mark sold the family’s television set to go on trial at Bloemfontein Celtic.
“He (Mark) used the money for bus fare and I asked him how he ’ d come back. He said I should not worry. Two days later he signed a contract. He is my hero,” the 18year-old said about older brother Mark Mayambela, the former Orlando Pirates player who is now in the National First Division (NFD) with Royal Eagles.
The Mayambelas are not the type to give up. They ’ ve suffered way too much to do that.
For instance, take Mihlahli. He played for the junior teams of Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, but things did not work out.
However, during the Easter weekend in Cape Town – in the Metropolitan Under-19 Premier Cup – his name was on every- body ’ s lips because of his ball skills and ability to score stunning goals. He plays for Cape Town All Stars in the NFD, but was a guest player in the Premier Cup for JL Zwane FC, who reached the final of the competition. Before yesterday ’ s final against Glendene United, Mayambela had six goals, including two against Welsh club Swansea City.
“It ’ s not easy to play for Chiefs and Pirates. Even at training there is pressure because everybody wants to impress. But I told myself I would make it.”
He added: “We grew up suffering a lot (in Khayelitsha), so I had to come here and score goals and impress.
“Football made a big difference in my family. Mark bought our mother a house.”
“We grew up suffering but football made a big difference in my family