Former Baroka FC and Stellenbosch FC defender Basil Mphahlele has opened up on what kept him grounded and motivated during his challenging two-year spell without a club.
The 26-year-old right-back found himself unattached following his departure from the now-defunct Moroka Swallows in July 2024.
Mphahlele first made a name for himself in the SA top-flight football when he turned out for Bakgaga during the 2020/21 season. However, heartbreak followed when Baroka suffered relegation from the Betway Premiership to the Motsepe Foundation Championship in the 2021/22 campaign.
He made his return to the Premiership a year later when he put pen to paper with Stellenbosch FC. Unfortunately, game time proved hard to come by at the Cape Winelands-based outfit, with the defender making just two appearances for Stellies, according to Transfermarkt.
In addition, Mphahlele was one of South Africa’s promising right-backs, as he was selected for Bafana Bafana for the 2021 COSAFA Cup, where the national team won the title for the first time in five years.
He also featured for South Africa in the 2022 African Nations Championship [CHAN] qualifier against Angola, bringing his total caps for Bafana to five.
Seeking a fresh start after his exit from Stellies, Mphahlele moved to the now-defunct Moroka Swallows in February 2024 as the Dube Birds were rebuilding their squad following the departure of 22 players over payment disputes. He went on to feature 12 times for the Soweto side.
BASIL MPHAHLELE ON HIS TWO-YEAR SPELL WITHOUT A CLUB
Reflecting on his time away from professional football, Mphahlele revealed that turning his focus to academics at the University of South Africa [UNISA] gave him direction when he considered hanging up his boots.
“For the past two years, I was actually focusing on my studies—nothing hectic,” Mphahlele told FARPost in an exclusive interview.
“I decided to study because it came to a point where I thought maybe I should just leave football for good. I’m currently enrolled in entrepreneurship. I’m still continuing with my studies at UNISA.”
‘I FEEL LIKE I’M AT HOME’: BASIL MPHAHLELE
The defender has now officially sealed his return to competitive football after signing with Motsepe Foundation Championship side Gomora United.
Although he is yet to feature in Gomora’s opening two fixtures of the new season, Mphahlele expressed gratitude for how the move materialised and the warm reception he received at the club.
“I already feel like I’m at home! The team was very welcoming,” he added.
“The way the move came about is that their captain, Thapelo Maleka, had a word with the chairman [Joe Seanago], and I personally spoke with the chairman as well. He invited me for the pre-season, and that’s how I got to sign with the team.”
With his academic journey running in tandem with his football career, Mphahlele will be aiming to hit the ground running as Gomora navigate their campaign in the second tier.
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