The 21-year-old attacker was a star performer while on loan to Degerfors from Djurgardens in Sweden last season, playing 33 matches in all competitions, contributing eight goals and five assists. Now that he is back at his parent club, Mayambela is hoping to do well and gain Bafana recognition.
Overseas-based players such as Kamohelo Mokotjo, Andile Jali, Bongani Zungu, Lebogang Manyama and Keagan Dolly have been part of Baxter’s squad from the beginning of his tenure and Mayambela would be a great option to have in attack. He’s got the speed, the skill, vision and the experience of playing in Europe, where players typically develop at a faster rate.
“It’s every player’s dream to represent the country. It’s one of the biggest things to represent your national team and it would be great for me to do the same. I would love to play, but it’s not up to me. Not all of us will be selected at the same time, so I will just wait for my time and I have to keep on working hard,” says Mayambela.
Mayambela, who enjoys watching Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo and Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar, did not play in the PSL, so he says it would be difficult to compare the local league with the one in Sweden.
“In Europe it’s different, but it’s difficult to compare because I have never played in South Africa.”
Mayambela, who is on a pre-season camp with Djurgardens in Cape Town, will start the new season in Sweden next month. Being home since November gave him time to be with his older brother Mark.
“I am always with him. I went to see him in PE [at Chippa United] and then came to Cape Town together. I have been with him a lot. We talk a lot – he is my mentor, he is my everything,” he adds.