Brian Mandela: Different club but same old problems for Harambee Stars defender in South Africa

Brian Mandela who plays for Stellenbosch FC in South Africa. Photo/Stellenbosch

Brian Mandela: Different club but same old problems for Harambee Stars defender in South Africa

Joel Omotto 15:11 - 14.01.2025

Kenyan defender Brian Mandela joined South African club Stellenbosch FC hoping for some respite after a difficult stay at Mamelodi Sundowns but it has been a nightmare so far.

Harambee Stars defender Brain Mandela may have changed clubs in South Africa but his circumstances have not changed.

Mandela joined Stellenbosch FC last August hoping for a change in fortunes after three difficult years at champions Mamelodi Sundowns but so far, he has remained a peripheral figure for the Steve Baker-coached team.

The defender left Sundowns after the expiry of his deal, having endured a tough spell at the club since joining in 2020 from Maritzburg, and even though he won three league titles, injuries and poor form conspired to make his stay uncomfortable.

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The 2023-24 campaign saw him claim his third straight South African top-flight crown with the Brazilians but it was another season when he played a peripheral role.

Just like the 2021-22 and 2022-23 campaigns, Mandela was blighted by injuries and poor form that saw him given few minutes by former coach Rulani Mokwena.

Mandela made 61 appearances in all competitions in the yellow and blue of Sundowns, with nine of those coming last term, three in the league.

Having moved to Stellenbosch, Mandela expressed his optimism that he would open a new chapter, which would include an extended run in the team, unlike his stint at Sundowns, but so far, it has been another nightmare.

Mandela has played just four of the 33 matches that Stellenbosch has featured in across all competitions. He has started just one match in the CAF Confederation Cup, managing 66 minutes, and one in the South African league, when he played all 90 minutes.

That was in a 2-0 defeat to Golden Arrows on September 18 last year, and since then, he got 15 minutes in the Carling Knockout against AmaZulu in October, having been given one minute against his former team Sundowns in August.

Unlike at Sundowns where injuries hampered him, Mandela has been available for selection this campaign, but watched from the bench as others get opportunities, having been an unused substitute in 15 matches this season, including the last two.

It is not clear why his coach has not been playing him given the fact that Stellenbosch are competing in the Confederation Cup where his experience could be valuable.

The club have made it to the Confederation Cup quarter-final without his input but he will hope to be involved in the latter stages of the competition or else, his stint in the Cape Winelands will end up in another disappointing fashion.