Former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly midfielder Phakamani Mahlambi has been spotted at Motsepe Foundation Championship side Lerumo Lions FC, as the 2025/26 season is slowly reaching its fever pitch.
The 28-year-old has been a free agent since July 2022, following his departure from the Brazilians. In November 2025, Mahlambi began training with TS Galaxy to revive his football career.
Despite spending three months under assessment with the Rockets, Mahlambi failed to secure a contract. The club’s technical team concluded that the attacker did not meet the rigorous physical and conditioning standards required for the Betway Premiership.
TS Galaxy head coach Adnan Beganovic noted that while Mahlambi’s technical quality remains evident, his fitness was not aligned with the team’s high-intensity style.
“TS Galaxy tries to give second chances. I spoke with the chairman [TS Galaxy] about Phakamani and said, ‘Let’s try.’ We gave him two months to see if his body could recover to the PSL level, working slowly to avoid injury,” Beganovic said.
“However, after analysing his data and performance, we decided he couldn’t reach the level we needed. We don’t have the time to wait a year for a player to potentially help us.”
ADNAN BEGANOVIC’S ADVICE TO PHAKAMANI MAHLAMBI AFTER FAILED TS GALAXY ASSESSMENT
Beganovic went on to advise Mahlambi to join a team in the NFD or ABC Motsepe League to find his rhythm and get his career back on track.
“He lost a lot in the last couple of years trying to find himself. He has probably struggled a lot, and it’s difficult to bring him back to the top,” Beganovic added. “If he stays healthy and focused, he likely needs one or two years. He needs to find a club where he can start playing games. In the PSL, every game is crucial. That’s why I made the decision.
“It’s better for him to join a second or third-division club. Only consistent game time can rebuild his confidence and get him back to a PSL level.”
In mid-February 2026, rumours swirled linking Mahlambi with a move to Botswana Premier League outfit Mochudi Centre Chiefs. However, those links failed to materialise.
Once considered one of South Africa’s brightest prospects, Mahlambi’s career has been frequently stalled by off-field issues, preventing him from reaching his full potential.
PHAKAMANI MAHLAMBI STARTED TRAINING WITH LERUMO LIONS
FARPost can reveal that Mahlambi started training with the North West side on Wednesday, 25 February, as the club aims to strengthen its midfield options in the second round of the season.
Mahlambi will be gunning to impress Lerumo’s technical team and secure a deal.
The talented midfielder has played for teams such as Bidvest Wits, Al Ahly, Mamelodi Sundowns, AmaZulu FC, and Chippa United.
Meanwhile, as reported by this publication this week, ex-Orlando Pirates midfielder Nkanyiso Zungu is currently “trying his luck” at Lerumo after leaving Magesi FC.
It remains unclear what led to Zungu’s exit from Magesi. But the club recently made changes to its technical team, replacing head coach John Maduka with veteran mentor Allan Freese. This might be one of the reasons why the midfielder left Dikwena Tsa Meetse.
This is Lerumo’s debut season in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, having acquired the status of Pretoria Callies prior to the start of the 2025/26 campaign.
As things stand, the club is placed sixth in the Motsepe Foundation Championship table with 25 points after 18 outings.
Lerumo will return to action on Sunday, 1 March 2026, against the in-form Cape Town City FC. The game will be played at the NWU Stadium. The kick-off is scheduled for 15:30.
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