Inspired by Phili, Mahlangu eyes PSL breakthrough as contract winds down

Mahlangu wants to make full use of the opportunity he’s getting at Orbit College, where he’s currently on loan from Siwelele FC.  

The South African junior international, who yesterday netted a hat-trick during his club’s 3-0 demolition of AmaZulu in the DDC, says Phili’s nine goals in 32 matches in all competitions this season in top-flight football are inspiring him.

"One of the best players in the league now, Langelihle, honestly he's exceptional. Yeah, he wasn't...it's football, I think. At AFCON he was, you know, on and off, and at the World Cup he was on and off, now he's booming, you know, yeah," said Mahlangu

READ: Ime Okon reflects on Hugo Broos debut as World Cup race heats up

"Tylan Smith, I mean, I can also say Neo Rappoo, best left back in the league, for me."

"So, yeah, Shakeel, big to the DDC, you know. It's part of football, you know. He was booming at the World Cup and the AFCON, so it's part of football. We mustn't take our heads down or anything."

"We have to take these challenges because they're going to be more and more, But I'm really happy for the gents that they are still playing football. I think we have to be grateful that we are still playing football, still on the map and in the system."

After returning from the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile last year, Mahlangu, together with another Amajita star striker Siviwe Magidigii, were promoted to the senior team at Siwelele, who has since moved to Belgium. 

But the Vaal-born player reveals that he needed this change of environment and new challenge.

Mahlangu was also Amajita’s top goal scorer with three goals at the AFCON U20 last year in Egypt, as they won the title for the first time, beating U20 world champions Morocco 1-0 in the final. 

At Orbit, Mahlangu has been deployed in the left-wing position by head coach Pogiso Makhoye and says he will announce himself in the big league by scoring goals.

Since his arrival in Rustenburg, Mahlangu has only played one minute of football action in top-flight football for the relegation-battling team against Richards Bay FC. He was an unused sub on the bench during the 2-1 away win in Mbombela against Richards Bay FC, and as he looks forward to next season, the 20-year-old marksman says with his contract expiring at Siwelele,.

A product of the now-defunct SuperSport United academy, Mahlangu also attended some trials at Spanish side Recreativo Huelva at the beginning of last year.