'Still more to come' says Mayambela on move to Chippa

Mark Mayambela believes there is still more to come from him after he secured a return to the Premier Soccer League with Chippa United this week.

The career of the former Bloemfontein Celtic and Orlando Pirates winger appeared to have stalled after he returned from a six-month spell with Swedish side Djurgarden at the end of last year.

He joined National First Division side Royal Eagles on a short-term deal in the second half of last season‚ but featured little for the KwaZulu-Natal side in the closing weeks of the campaign.

He had expressed a desire to return overseas‚ but says that changed when he received a call from United owner Chippa Mpengesi‚ who had been trying to persuade Mayambela to join the club for years.

The desire to move to a club where he really feels valued was behind his decision to join the Port Elizabeth-based outfit. And he says he is glad to be back in the PSL‚ too.

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“I’m happy to be back‚ it has been far too long.” Mayambela told Times Media. “I have been talking to the chairman for years now to bring me here‚ since I was at Orlando Pirates. And finally it has happened.”

Mayambela was one of nine new players unveiled by Chippa on Monday with the promise of more to come. Veteran coach David Bright has also been brought on board to assist head coach Roger Sikhakhane.

The 27-year-old Mayambela says looking around the team he is happy with the quality with them.

“There is a lot of new players‚ with the coach and the experience of David Bright‚ it will be easier for us to gel together‚” he says.

“I’m pleased with the acquisitions that the team has made and I am sure that the other players they will sign will be quality players that will help the team to even greater heights.”

And he says he wants to play a leading role in the revival of a team and is safe in the knowledge that he has the backing of both Mpengesi and Sikhakhane.

Mayambela had his critics at Celtic and Pirates‚ but was also much-loved by the fans‚ who appreciated his skill.

“There is still more to come from me with a coach like Roger that believes in me so much‚” he said.

“He is one of the reasons that I came here. Having him here is one of the major reasons I came to the club and to fight for him as a coach … it is something I really want to do. To say thanks for giving me another opportunity.”

 – The Times