Harambee Stars defender Brian Mandela is staring at the possibility of looking for a new club just one year after landing a major deal with a top South African side.
Harambee Stars defender Brian Onyango Mandela is at a career crossroads once again as his contract nears completion at South African club Stellenbosch FC.
Mandela joined Stellenbosch last August after ending a four-year spell at champions Mamelodi Sundowns where he had become a bit-part player in his final two years at the club with injuries also hampering him.
Signing for Stellenbosch therefore offered him a chance to kickstart his career but while injuries kept away, opportunities were still limited, the centre-back being selected in just eight matches across all competitions, despite his team finishing third in the league, reaching the CAF Confederation Cup semi-final and MTN8 final.
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Mandela’s Days at Cape Stellies Appear To be Over
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He only managed four league games, starting three, two in the Confederation Cup, one MTN8 and another one in the Carling knockout and now, it appears that time is up again.
Mandela signed a one-year contract with Stellenbosch, but the club has an option to extend by a further year, but according to South African outlet FARPost, the Cape Town-based side have decided to cut ties with the 30-year-old which will leave him looking for a new club once again.
His limited opportunities were down to the form of South African defender Thabo Moloisane, Ivorian Olivier Toure, the preferred central defence pairing by coach Steve Barker, while another South African Athenkosi Mcaba was the third-choice, limiting Mandela’s game time.
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Now, reports indicate that Stellenbosch plan to promote academy graduate 20-year-old Tylon Smith, who was named Player of the Tournament as South Africa won the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt in May, while there is also another youngster Liam de Kock, who is knocking on the door, which makes Mandela’s position very weak.
In light of this, Stellenbosch do not see the need to extend Mandela’s stay despite his vast experience and the former Posta Rangers, Tusker FC and Maritzburg United defender will likely be on the hunt for a new club again.
Mandela will need to find a new home soon enough since he is among players Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has been relying on as playing regularly at club level will be crucial to keeping his place in the national team.
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