‘OJ’ Mabizela facing uncertain future at AmaZulu after going AWOL
"It's said that no one knows his current whereabouts," says a source close to AmaZulu.
Mbulelo Old John Mabizela, AmaZulu U13 coach (Photo by Darren Stewart/Gallo Images
Mbulelo Mabizela, the coach of AmaZulu FC‘s under-13 boys team, has reportedly gone AWOL, and his whereabouts remain a mystery to the club.
ALSO READ: AmaZulu use Fifa break to fix mistakes ahead of Chiefs clash
Mabizela was a notable absentee at the weekend, when his team participated in games at Pallock Stadium near KwaMashu in Durban.
According to an inside source, Mabizela’s presence at training has also been inconsistent, with him showing up only when he feels like it.
Mabizela, Andile Cele, and Reneilwe Letsholonyane, local football legends who rose to fame with prominent Soweto giants, were brought on board by AmaZulu last season.
Their appointment was part of the re-organisation of the youth structures at the Durban club, which saw the dismissal of coaches who had been with the club for a long time.
The source disclosed, “I attended the games at Pallock, and I noticed that AmaZulu’s Under 13s were playing, but where is their coach, Mbulelo Mabizela?
“It’s said that no one knows his current whereabouts. He sporadically shows up for training, only when he feels like it.”
ALSO READ: Discarded Chiefs player still looking for new club
Mabizela gained recognition through his performances at Maritzburg City, which prompted Orlando Pirates to sign him at a young age.
He showcased his talent at Pirates and subsequently secured a move to England’s Tottenham Hotspur.
While he excelled on the field, his off-field behaviour proved to be a stumbling block.
Following his stint at Spurs, he returned to South Africa and played for Mamelodi Sundowns, where he often walked to the beat of his own drum.
