Al Ahly fine Phakamani Mahlambi for skipping training

Phakamani Mahlambi of Al Ahly Sporting Club tries to challenge Lawrence Bukenya of Kampala Capital City Authority FC (KCCA) during the 2018 Caf Champions League on 15 May 2018 at Mandela Stadium, Namboole, Kampala. ©Ismail Kezaala/BackpagePix

by Graeme Jackson

Saturday Aug 04, 2018. 10:00

Egyptian giants Al Ahly have fined South African striker Phakamani Mahlambi after he skipped the club’s training on Friday.

“Mohamed Youssef, general manager of Al Ahly Football Club and acting director of the football, said there was a financial penalty imposed on South African Phakamani Mahlambi for his absence from training without permission,” read a statement on Ahly’s official website.

“Youssef added that the financial sanction signed by the player came in accordance with the rules of the internal team.

“Youssef pointed out that there is a meeting with the player's agent to discuss his position for the coming period.”

This development comes after Mahlambi saw a potential return to South Africa go up in smoke.

The former Bidvest Wits attacker was linked with a move to Mamelodi Sundowns. The reigning PSL champions saw him as a potential replacement for Percy Tau, whom they sold to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Mahlambi was ineligible to play for Ahly as they had exhausted their quota of foreign players in the squad, further boosting speculation of a move.

However, an injury to Nigerian striker Junior Ajayi saw the 20-year-old drafted into Patrice Carteron’s side and meant his prospects of a transfer were put on ice.