Mihlali on new journey

Youngster swaps Stockholm for sleepy Degerfors

South African youngster Mihlali Mayambela recently made his debut for Swedish secondtier side Degerfors‚ where he will spend the year on loan from top-flight Djurgardens as he seeks to kick-start his career in Europe.

Mayambela, the younger brother of Ajax Cape Town winger Mark, and his parent club have both suggested that the quieter surroundings of the industrial town with a population of a little over 7 000 will help him focus on his football.

Dropping a division is not ideal for the 20-year-old‚ but he can point to the example of new Bafana Bafana cap Luther Singh as someone who used the Swedish Superetten as a springboard to bigger things during 18 months at GAIS.

Mayambela made his debut in a 3-2 win at Syrianska and recently said he was excited for his new adventure.

“I’m looking forward to a season in Degerfors‚” Mayambela said. “It’s a small town and a new environment for me so I am grateful that they want to invest in me...

“Playing matches is the key to develop as a player.”

Djurgardens sporting director Bosse Andersson hinted that moving away from the bright lights of Stockholm was a positive move for Mayambela.

“There will be a quiet‚ good environment for him where he can get a nice development and focus fully on football‚” Andersson said. -