The two clubs where Xola Mlambo enjoyed his football the most |

Xola Mlambo has picked the two clubs where he enjoyed his football the most. 

The TS Galaxy midfielder claims his spells at Chippa United and Orlando Pirates are the ones for the good books. 

Xola Mlambo joined Chippa United in 2016 after his contract with the Motsepe Foundation Championship side, Cape Town All Stars, was terminated. 

Mlambo’s arrival at Chippa was met with brotherhood and camaraderie from his teammates. Walking into a dressing room filled with South African football veterans such as Lerato Chabangu, Thamsanqa Sangweni, and Andile Mbenyane, was the cherry on top for the Soweto-born playmaker. 

XOLA MLAMBO’S EXPERIENCE AT CHIPPA

“My analysis of it now, one, is the freedom that we had. Two, it’s the brotherhood that came with it.

“Because we knew that we were facing some difficulties. There were things that I can’t mention that were happening, but we stood firm with the team I was with,” said Mlambo.

The former Chippa United player continued to credit the experience that the likes of Chabangu and Sangweni brought into the team. 

In 2018, Mlambo made a move to Orlando Pirates, and luckily, he was met with similar energy. However, this time he was reunited with his former mentor from his childhood days, Rulani Mokwena. Mokwena coached the former Pirates midfielder in the amateur ranks at Black Poison. Understandably, the first two seasons at Pirates are not to be forgotten, as they were the best and most enjoyable for him.

HIS TIME AT PIRATES 

“I got there [Pirates], got my opportunity. I stamped my authority, and we played. Then, Pirates started dominating.

“A team that’s dominating everything, that’s qualifying to go play and compete in Africa, finishing second.”

“Whenever we played Sundowns, Coach Pitso [Mosimane] was no longer relaxing. It’s always nice to play with that freedom. You express yourself because of the quality that’s surrounding you.” 

“It comes even easier and easier. Hence I felt that I enjoyed that part as well. I mean, helping the team to qualify and go back to the continental competition was one of the most amazing things.”

“The chances that I created reminded me of the chances I was creating at Chippa. So there was that repetition of certain things that were happening,” Mlambo concluded.  

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