Albert Mahlangu Reveals Dark Secrets Behind Injuries in South African Football

Albert ‘Bashin’ Mahlangu has lifted the lid on what he believes lies behind the sudden loss of form and recurring injuries haunting some of South Africa’s biggest clubs – and he’s pointing the finger inside the dressing room.

The Orlando Pirates legend claims that muti is being used by players against their own teammates, derailing careers and wrecking seasons from within.

“It’s tough on the pitch. I played for Pirates, and it wasn’t easy,” Mahlangu told KickOff, speaking with the authority of a man who spent more than a decade in the Buccaneers engine room. For him, the modern game’s pressure has twisted old practices into something darker.

“Where are these boys?”

Mahlangu didn’t speak in vague terms. He went straight to names currently on Pirates’ books.

“For example, at Pirates, where is Andre Jong? Where is Kabelo Dlamini?” he asked.

He then turned to Evidence Makgopa, a player he says he knew well and trusted to make an impact.

“Evidence Makgopa too, a player I knew very well, that he would always score if introduced in the second half, but he has disappeared.”

The pattern, in his eyes, repeats.

“Yanela Mbuthuma was brought in from Richards Bay, scoring goals from left, right, and centre. He got there at Pirates, he scored and scored... all of a sudden, he has stopped scoring.

“Surely, there is something happening with these boys,” Mahlangu said, leaving the question hanging.

For him, these dips are not just about tactics, confidence, or conditioning. They’re spiritual battles being fought in the shadows of the changeroom.

Muti as a weapon, not a boost

Mahlangu is not against muti. Far from it. He believes it has always had a place in the game – but he insists it should be used to lift performance, not to sabotage a colleague.

“If you and I are teammates, you must use muti the right way. Use it to improve yourself and help the team win, not to destroy me,” he said.

“If I am destroyed, how are we supposed to play? You need 11 players on the pitch to form a team.”

He widened the lens beyond Pirates, pointing to another Soweto giant.

“Kaizer Chiefs have five left-backs on the injury list. How is that possible?” he asked, again suggesting that something beyond bad luck may be at work.

“Protect your boots, protect yourself”

The former midfielder painted a picture of a ruthless environment, one where the roar from the stands hides the private battles players are fighting.

“It’s not easy in these teams. People scream from the stands, shouting at players, but they don’t know the many challenges players face,” he said.

His advice to professionals is blunt: don’t walk into that fight unarmed.

“If you are a professional footballer, use something to protect yourself. Please protect your gear – your soccer boots, kitbag with some muti of your own – so that when your teammate tries to put some muti in your bag, it doesn’t work.”

He again circled back to examples.

“When was the last time Tapelo Xoki played a match? Sihle Nduli had just returned from injury, but suddenly he’s injured again.”

To Mahlangu, these repeated setbacks are not random. They’re warnings.

“Something is wrong”

Mahlangu contrasted today’s injury trends with his own career to drive home his point.

“Such things were not common during our time,” he said.

“I played for Pirates for 12 years. In that period, I only had one ankle injury. I got injured today, and the next day I was back on the pitch.”

He credits that swift recovery to traditional intervention.

“Thanks to an old man who cut open my ankle and put some stuff in, and I was at training the following day.”

Now he watches players sit out half a season from training-ground knocks.

“Nowadays, players get injured at training and stay out for six months. Imagine six months out? Something is wrong.”

For Mahlangu, the conclusion is clear, and his message to the modern pro is as stark as it is unwavering.

“So, players, please protect yourself. Use something.”