Hunt Welcomes Mahlambi To Durban City

Durban City coach Gavin Hunt has welcomed Phakamani Mahlambi to the club, hoping to help the talented player revive his career. However, Hunt has made it clear that the responsibility for a successful comeback rests squarely with Mahlambi.

Mahlambi has been out of professional football for over four years, with his last appearance coming during a loan spell from Mamelodi Sundowns to Chippa United in the 2021/22 season.

Interestingly, that short stint at Chippa was also under the guidance of Hunt. Unfortunately, Mahlambi’s season was cut short after he suffered an Achilles tendon injury, with his last match being on 25 September 2021, against Stellenbosch.

Following City’s 1-0 victory over Chippa United at Chatsworth Stadium on Wednesday, which saw them move to the top of the Betway Premiership table, Hunt confirmed Mahlambi’s arrival.

He was quick to emphasize that he can only provide the opportunity.

“I can’t revive him, he is going to revive himself,” Hunt said.

A History of Success and Setbacks

Hunt has a long history with Mahlambi. He gave the forward his PSL debut with Bidvest Wits on 8 August 2015, when Mahlambi was just 17 years old.

Three months later, Mahlambi scored his first goal, with Hunt likening him to the legendary Benni McCarthy. The pair went on to win the league title and the MTN8 together in the 2016/17 season, with Mahlambi being named Young Player of the Season after scoring six goals in 18 matches.

Mahlambi’s promising career then took him to Egyptian giants Al Ahly for the 2017/18 season before he was signed by Sundowns. From there, he was loaned to AmaZulu and Chippa United, where his career stalled.

Hunt underscored the opportunity Mahlambi has now. “I can only give him the platform,” he said. “It is like any football player. I give him the platform, I give him opportunity, what he does, if they want to train, [it is up to him].”

“He’s young,” Hunt added. “He was the brightest talent in South Africa and he moved to Al Ahly, back to Mamelodi Sundowns and came to Chippa with me, and he snapped his Achilles. So, he has had more comebacks than George Foreman (the boxer).”

Praising Mahlambi’s natural talent and speed, Hunt recalled: “I played him at number nine and we sold him for how many millions, I don’t know.”

Given their shared history and past successes, it remains to be seen whether Mahlambi can seize this new opportunity under Hunt and once again become the player he was destined to be.