“I can’t save him,” says Gavin Hunt as bad boy Mahlambi pops up at Durban City

Phakamani Mahlambi has resurfaced in the Betway Premiership, with Durban City FC handing the troubled forward a trial as he looks to rescue a career that once promised to light up South African football.

The 27-year-old has been without a club for nearly four years, his last top-flight appearance coming in September 2021 for Chippa United. That outing — a second-half cameo in a 2-1 defeat to Stellenbosch FC — ended with a torn Achilles tendon, cutting short his season and sparking a long spell on the sidelines.

For Mahlambi, whose raw pace and flair once made him the country’s most exciting young attacker, the fall from grace has been steep.

His professional debut came under Gavin Hunt at Bidvest Wits in the 2015/16 season, and within two years, he was securing a dream move to Egyptian giants Al Ahly.

But his time in North Africa lasted just one season before returning home to join Mamelodi Sundowns.

Game time was scarce at Chloorkop, leading to a loan move to Chippa United in 2021 — where he linked up again with Hunt. Injuries, discipline issues, and inconsistency meant that momentum was never sustained.

He nearly reunited with Hunt a third time at SuperSport United after a trial stint but never signed. Now, the pair find themselves together again at newly promoted Durban City, with the coach offering him a final platform to prove his worth.

“I can’t revive him, he’s got to revive himself, I can only give him the platform,” Hunt said after Durban City’s 1-0 win over Chippa United at Chatsworth Stadium on Wednesday.

“He’s like any football player — I give the platform, the opportunity, but he’s young. I mean, he was the brightest talent in South Africa, wasn’t he?

“And then he had that move to Al Ahly, back to (South Africa) at Sundowns, he came to Chippa with me, he [suffered] an Achilles injury. He’s had comebacks (before).”

For all his setbacks, Mahlambi still carries the natural ability that once saw him tipped for a long career at the top.

Hunt’s words make it clear that this opportunity will not come with hand-holding — the work ethic, discipline, and desire will have to come from the player himself.

With Durban City seeking experienced quality in their debut season in the Premiership, Mahlambi has a rare chance to rewrite his story. Whether it becomes a redemption arc or another missed opportunity is now entirely in his hands.