Bafana Bafana forward Mihlali Mayambela has opened up about his older
brother Mark and how “living under his shadow” has influenced his career
decisions. Mihlali, who has never played in the South African Premiership,
spent two years in the Motsepe Foundation Championship with All Stars from
2014. In June 2019, he left Djurgarden and had spells in Portugal, Israel,
and eventually settled at Cypriot club Aris Limassol.
Mihlali admits that living under his brother’s shadow had an effect on his
decision to go abroad, as he had lost the hunger for the game due to
comparisons between the two. He wanted to find a place where nobody knew
of his family and build something for himself.
“He’s better, he had better talent than me, that’s for sure but maybe I
had other strengths also he didn’t have. But without him there wouldn’t be
a Mihlali,” the Bafana attacker said.
When asked if Mark had fulfilled his potential, Mihlali replied: “No, no
chance, not even 50 percent. He knows it, I tell him all the time. For
some reason he didn’t, maybe he will fulfill his potential as a coach, I
don’t know, let’s see.”
