Beganovic explains TS Galaxy’s decision to pass on Phakamani Mahlambi

TS Galaxy head coach Adnan Beganovic has confirmed that the club will not be offering a contract to former Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns attacker Phakamani Mahlambi.

The 28-year-old had been training with the Rockets since November 2025, hoping to secure a professional lifeline and a chance to play alongside his younger brother, Seluleko Mahlambi. However, following an intensive three-month evaluation, the Bosnian tactician revealed that the player remains significantly short of the physical requirements for the Betway Premiership.

Phakamani Mahlambi, once the most expensive South African player following his multi-million rand move to Al Ahly in 2017, has been without a club since July 2022. His career, which promised so much during his breakout years at Bidvest Wits, has been stalled by a combination of long-term injuries and widely publicized off-field challenges.

Speaking to the media ahead of Sunday’s Nedbank Cup clash against Marumo Gallants, Beganovic admitted that despite the club’s desire to give the attacker a second chance, the data did not support a permanent move.

“After two months, we analysed everything—we collected GPS data, training sessions, and friendly games,” Beganovic explained. “We decided that it’s difficult to get him to the level we need for the PSL. I just took the decision; we don’t have time. You can’t train for a year just to think maybe he can help us.”

A Risk of Injury For Phakamani Mahlambi

The Galaxy mentor emphasised that pushing Phakamani Mahlambi to the necessary professional intensity posed a significant risk to the player’s long-term health.

“It’s so difficult because you can’t push him to overload; he can get a big injury and then he can lose everything. He lost a lot in the last couple of years. Probably he needs one or two years to find himself again.”

Despite the rejection, Beganovic offered the former Sundowns star a roadmap for redemption, suggesting he look toward the lower divisions to rebuild his confidence and match fitness away from the high-pressure environment of the top flight.

“I said to him that he needs to find a club to start playing games,” the coach continued. “In my personal opinion, it’s better for him to find a club in the second or third division. Only games can bring him that level to try and catch a PSL club again.”

While Phakamani Mahlambi’s dream of a “brotherly reunion” at the Rockets has ended for now, the talented winger remains a free agent as he continues his search for a club to reignite a once-glittering career.

Phakamani Mahlambi Setback: 3 Key Reasons TS Galaxy Reject Former Bafana Star

Former Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns attacker Phakamani Mahlambi has suffered another major setback in his attempt to revive his professional career after TS Galaxy confirmed they will not be offering him a contract.

TS Galaxy head coach Adnan Beganovic revealed that after an extensive evaluation period, the club concluded that Mahlambi does not currently meet the physical demands required to compete in the Betway Premiership.

Phakamani Mahlambi Fails Physical Demands After Three-Month Assessment

The 28-year-old winger had been training with TS Galaxy since November 2025, hoping to secure a professional lifeline and fulfill a personal ambition of playing alongside his younger brother, Seluleko Mahlambi. However, that dream has been put on hold following a rigorous three-month evaluation process.

Speaking ahead of Galaxy’s Nedbank Cup clash against Marumo Gallants, Beganovic explained that the decision was driven by objective performance data rather than sentiment.

“After two months, we analysed everything — GPS data, training sessions, and friendly games,” Beganovic said.
“We decided it’s difficult to get him to the level we need for the PSL. We don’t have time. You can’t train for a year just to think maybe he can help us.”

Phakamani Mahlambi’s Career: From Record Transfer to Free Agent

Once regarded as one of South Africa’s brightest prospects, Phakamani Mahlambi was the most expensive South African footballer in history following his multi-million rand move to Al Ahly in 2017.

Before that, he had dazzled at Bidvest Wits, earning national recognition and a place in the Bafana Bafana setup. Unfortunately, his career trajectory was disrupted by a combination of long-term injuries and widely reported off-field challenges.

Mahlambi has been without a club since July 2022, making his TS Galaxy trial his most serious opportunity yet to return to top-flight football.