Mihlali Mayambela upgrades with move to Cypriot league leaders

After a successful spell with Aris Limassol in the top flight of Cypriot football, Mihlali Mayambela upgraded clubs within the country after completing his latest move on Thursday.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by OMONOIA FC (@omonoiafootball)

The 29-year-old South Africa international winger completed a transfer to league leaders Omonia Nicosia, as confirmed by the club on Thursday. The versatile attacker leaves after contributing 19 goals and 15 assists in 125 appearances for Aris over three-and-a-half seasons.

Mayambela joins a club that is in excellent form. Omonia have not lost a league match since late November and are in the midst of an eight-match unbeaten run in league play. In their last match, they defeated Aris 5-3 in what is now Mayambela’s last appearance for his previous club.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by OMONOIA FC (@omonoiafootball)

But supporters are excited to add the versatile attacker, who has continued to rise through the ranks of European club football through hard work and persistence. The Cape Town native spent time in the youth systems of both Soweto rivals, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, before beginning his professional career with Cape Town All Stars in South Africa’s second tier National First Division (now known as the Motsepe Foundation Championship).

Time spent in Sweden, Portugal and Israel led to his success with Aris, which allowed Mayambela break into the South Africa national team. He scored on his debut for Bafana Bafana in a 4-0 friendly victory over Sierra Leone in late September 2022 and also made five appearances as South Africa finished third place at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. His last appearance for Bafana came in a 3-3 friendly draw against Algeria in March last year.

Mayambela will certainly have opportunities to impress with his new club. Omonia’s next league match is on Sunday in the league against relegation candidates Krasava. They also remain in the Cyprus Cup, with a quarterfinal clash against former Bafana winger Luther Singh and AEL Limassol awaiting next Wednesday.

Finally, Omonia qualified for the knockout stage of the UEFA Conference League and will face Croatian club Rijeka in the Round of 16. The first leg will take place at home on February 19.