Experienced midfielder Xola Mlambo has reflected on his PSL career, crediting two coaches for significantly elevating his game.
According to Mlambo, the two coaches played a pivotal role in unlocking his full potential and shaping him into the player he became.
Mlambo is currently without a club. He parted ways with DStv Premiership side TS Galaxy on a soar note ahead of the 2023/24 PSL season.
The well-travelled midfielder has previously played for Chippa United, the now-defunct Bidvest Wits, Orlando Pirates, AmaZulu FC and lastly Galaxy.
Mlambo’s peak performance arguably came during his time at Wits. There, he was instrumental in securing two trophies for the Clever Boys: the 2016/17 DStv Premiership [formerly known as the ABSA Premiership] and the 2017/18 Carling Knockout Cup [ormerly known as the Telkom Knockout].
MLAMBO SINGLES OUT DAN MALESELA AND GAVIN AS THE BEST COACHES HE’S WORKED WITH
Mlambo says he enjoyed playing his football under Dan Malesela and Gavin Hunt at Chippa and Wits, respectively. ‘Ten Ten’ spent one season with the Chilli Boys in the 2015/16 season before making a switch to Wits, where he played for one-and-a-half seasons from 2016/17 to the middle of the 2017/18 campaign.
Malesela is currently with Motsepe Foundation Championship side Baroka FC. On the other hand, Hunt is the head coach of SuperSport United.
“Under coach Dan [Malesela], I was free,” Mlambo told FARPost. He is one coach who is very intelligent and a coach who allows you to express yourself.
“He will look at the players’ ability and work based on them, not try to change or force a situation. He allowed me to play the way that I wanted to play and I was able to create [scoring opportunities] and to score, I enjoyed my time.”
“Coach Gavin [Hunt] as well allowed me to be myself in different positions. He did not put me in a different role and wanted to add a lot of new things.
“Under different types of philosophies, I was able to express myself as I could. He saw my strengths and weaknesses and used them to better the team’s performances and mine as well.”
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