AmaZulu FC’s experienced defender, Ramahlwe Mphahlele has joined his teammates at training after putting behind his ill-timed head injury during MTN8 final loss to Orlando Pirates on November 5 at Moses Mabhida Stadium which had Usuthu supporters worried.
Speaking to AmaZulufc.net after day one of reporting to training, the 32-year-old expressed delight that coach Romain Folz and Usuthu can utilize the coming weeks to prepare well for their next competitive match which is against Sekhukhune United on December 31.
“I’m happy to be back with the boys training, you know, obviously after what happened after the MTN8 final with the freak injury,” Mphahlele said.
“I am okay now. I am just looking forward to the so-called mini pre-season, so we can prepare for our next game against Sekhukhune.”
The former Bafana Bafana defender had to sit out the Carling Black Label Cup, one-day tournament, on November 15 due to the concussion he suffered in a collision with Ghana international goalkeeper Richard Ofori of Pirates a week earlier.
“I think the break was needed for me personally since I am far from my family and my kids. It was good to be home and spend time with the family,” he explained.
The World Cup 2022 showpiece in Qatar has been a good source of relaxation for many PSL players whose countries are not involved in the tournament.
“Of course, it just doesn’t feel normal. We are used to seeing the World Cup in June, but we are professionals, we know we must do what we must do,” the man nicknamed Rama continued.
“Now we know it is time to work and that’s what we are going to do. We are just looking forward to having more time with the coach because as we know that he came in late (October).”
“We have a lot of work to do to be honest. There’s room to get better and improve as a team, technically and even physically,” Rama added.
“This is like our pre-season. We must prepare, not only for Sekhukhune but for the upcoming games. We need to move up on the log.
“We need to improve as a team. We know it’s going to be hard playing on the 31st December but we know that we don’t have normal jobs. We are not normal. This is our life. It’s okay to play on New Year’s Eve or even on the 25th of December.”
AmaZulu are placed seventh on the DStv Premiership standings having accumulated 17 points from 13 matches.
