May Mahlangu


May Mahlangu is a South African professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder.

Club career

Early career

Mahlangu joined the Stars of Africa Academy at the age of 15 and played for their team, Alexandra United FC.

Helsingborgs IF

Bo Nilsson was the manager of Allsvenskan club Helsingborgs IF in 2008 and, through his connections with the academy, brought Mahlangu to Sweden. Nilsson arranged for Mahlangu to train with both Helsingborg and fourth-tier club IFK Hässleholm each day, and to initially play league matches for Hässleholm. After impressing in the Swedish lower leagues, Helsingborg decided to make him a permanent member of their squad in the summer of 2009. In 2011, the club won the Swedish league, and Mahlangu was awarded the player of the year award.

IFK Göteborg

On 4 March 2014, Mahlangu joined Allsvenskan club IFK Göteborg on a one-year contract.

Konyaspor

Mahlangu signed with Konyaspor in January 2015 as a free transfer. On 28 February 2015, he scored his first league goal against Fenerbahçe.

Ludogorets Razgrad

Mahlangu signed a contract with Ludogorets Razgrad in August 2018, but saw limited action for the team.

Ordabasy

In 2019, he joined Ordabasy on loan before signing permanently with the Kazakh side in 2020.

International career

In January 2012, Mahlangu made his debut for the South Africa national team in a friendly against Equatorial Guinea. He was also included in South Africa's squad for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
In November 2014, Mahlangu was banned from selection for Bafana Bafana after failing to report for their 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sudan and Nigeria, citing fatigue.

Career statistics

International

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
122 December 2012Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban, South Africa3–13–1Friendly
227 January 2013Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban, South Africa1–12–22013 Africa Cup of Nations

Honours

;Helsingborgs IF
;Dinamo Bucharest
;Individual
  • Allsvenskan Player of the Year: 2011