Phakamani Mahlambi says he moved to AmaZulu to get back to the player everyone knows as it was clear, after a conversation with Manqoba Mngqithi, that he wasn’t going to get game time at Mamelodi Sundowns this season.

The 23-year-old attacker joined AmaZulu on transfer-deadline day this past Monday in a season-long deal and was unveiled by his new club the very next day.

The winger moved to Downs after a difficult spell in Egypt with Al Ahly in 2018, but he has failed to reach his potential in a competitive squad.

After the Brazilians made a number of signings for the 2020-21 campaign, the forward says he had to have a discussion with joint head coach Mngqithi on the way forward.

‘I had a conversation with coach Manqoba,’ he said during his unveiling.

‘He told me and explained everything and I could understand [his reasons] and it was then my intention to leave and get back to playing again. I want people to see the Phakamani that they all know.

‘If I stayed at Sundowns, it was clear that I wasn’t going to play,’ said Mahlambi.

‘I wasn’t going to be selected for the national team. So I had to find a way of me getting game time so that the national team coach can be able to select me again.’