Mahlambi impresses in Portugal
Phakamani Mahlambi's agent Glen Binkin says Vitoria Guimaraes are interested in signing the Bidvest Wits youngster on a season-long loan.
Phakamani Mahlambi of Bidvest Wits. (Photo by Johan Rynners/Gallo Images)
The PSL Young Player of the Season is currently in Portugal attending a three week trial at Guimaraes.
“Obviously he represented South Africa in the Olympic qualifiers. Guimaraes have been following his career and progress. A number of teams in Europe had expressed an interest in him with Benfica and Galatasaray making written offers to Wits in January 2016. Guimaraes also expressed interest at the same time. He was injured but came back strong to be voted the young player of the year after a good six month spell,” Binkin told Metro FM.
“To be honest Guimaraes are interested in taking the player on a season long loan which Wits where interested in progressing discussion along those lines, but to be fair the coach had not seen the player properly. He had watched him in videos, so we felt it was in the best interest of everyone if he came here for three weeks so that they can watch him play. We didn’t want to bring him here for a year and he doesn’t play. We thought he should come here and they see how he does with their players and to see if he likes the club and the environment.”
Guimaraes have Bafana Bafana midfielder Bongani Zungu on their books and the former Mamelodi Sundowns is a regular at the club having joined them a year ago.
Zungu has taken Mahlambi under his wing as he continues to settle in while hoping to impress the club’s technical team.
Phakamani Mahlambi made his first appearance for Vitoria de Guimaraes on trial tonight as a substitute. Helped create the third goal. 🇿🇦⚽️ pic.twitter.com/5IU5yPq2bc
— Joe Crann (@YesWeCrann) 26 July 2017
