Teenage forward Phakamani Mahlambi has returned to his club Bidvest Wits after featuring in two games at the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations. Mahlambi flew back today as per the agreement that his club and SAFA had reached over his participation at the youth tournament currently underway in Zambia. After missing the first game for Amajita due to a club versus country dispute that threatened to get ugly, common ground was reached as it was agreed the 19-year-old would be released after the group matches.

Following the completion of the group stages matches yesterday, and with Amajita qualifying for the semi-finals of the continental competition and more importantly the Under-20 World Cup, both parties should be happy with the arrangement. Mahlambi missed Wits’ game against Bloemfontein Celtic on Friday but will be available for selection for the match against Chippa United on Tuesday at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in East London.

His delayed arrival in Zambia meant he didn’t play in the opening match against Cameroon at the youth tournament but then featured against Senegal on Thursday and Sudan yesterday. He scored one of the three goals against Sudan before being pulled out with qualification secured just before the hour-mark. The top four teams at the tournament in Zambia qualify for the global showcase set for South Korea from May 20 to June 11 – dates that will again clash with the local season which ends on June 24.