Makudubela accepted Yanga offer to spread his wings

by Staff Reporter

Friday Jul 21, 2023. 13:23

Former Marumo Gallants winger Mahlatsi Makudubela has revealed he decided to join Young Africans to get out of his comfort zone and test himself at a higher level.

The 33-year-old signed for Yanga on a free transfer earlier this week after his contract with Bahlabane Ba Ntwa had expired at the end of June, with the club suffering relegation from the DStv Premiership on the final day of the 2022-23 season.

Makudubela caught the eye of the Tanzanian Premier League champions during the CAF Confederation Cup, where Gallants reached the semi-finals before bowing out to his new employers 4-1 on aggregate.

The Mamelodi Sundowns youth product had received offers to remain in the top tier of South African football, but jumped at the chance to move to the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium after getting a call from Yanga president Hersi Said.

“Tanzanian league is fifth, followed by SA in sixth position [according to International Federation of Football Statistics and History], so it means this league is bigger than SA league,” Makudubela told the Sowetan.

“Yanga have won the league three times in a row and they are always in CAF competitions. So, with all due respect, there was no chance to stay in SA and play for a club that only fights for the top eight. SA league made me but, sometimes you’ve [got] to spread your wings and fly.

“I am a very ambitious player with dreams and goals. Looking at the history of this club and the things they’ve achieved, they are ambitious and they’ll be playing the Champions League in the new season. They always aspire to be the best in Africa, hence they are the biggest team in East Africa.

“Another player would have easily decided to remain in SA with his family in the comfort zone, but am I really that person? No. I want challenges and I want to spread my wings… there’s no growth in my comfort zone, so I couldn’t say no. I was on the verge of signing with one PSL team when Yanga president called.”

‘Skudu’ as he affectionately called, could make his debut against Kaizer Chiefs in a pre-season friendly at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Saturday.