Mayembela makes his mark in Sweden

MIHLALI Mayambela is settling in well in Sweden and ready to give it his best shot with leading Swedish club Djurgardens IF. Mayambela made his move during the recent transfer window, signing a four-year contract with the Swedish club, and the Cape Town-born midfielder is now living his dream and enjoying every moment in his new surroundings. “Ngimnandi [I am feeling good]! The food is okay, I am adjusting well, but the weather is very cold and it snows a lot!” Mayambela says. “I am staying alone in my own apartment which is just 10 minutes away from the training ground.” The Allsvenskan (Swedish Premier League) is set to only start in April, but the club is involved in friendlies and cup competition, so Mayambela is currently enjoying his pre-season. “The reception from fans has been wonderful,” he says. “The other day in my first practice match they were chanting my name. So obviously my brother [Mark] left his own legacy here. “But despite that, I don’t feel like I’m under pressure. I also want to make my name here,” says the former Cape Town All Stars player. “The coach has been playing me as rightwing and I am more comfortable playing that position,” he adds. Like any youngster, Mayambela dreams of playing for Bafana Bafana one day, but in the meantime is hoping his performances in Sweden will attract the attention of Under-23 national team coach Owen da Gama. With the junior national team set to compete in the Olympics in Rio in August this year, Mayambela has a chance to represent the country. “Anything can happen – I think the coach will want to keep same team that qualified, but if I get selected that would be one of the greatest highlights in my football career,” he says.