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Cape Town - Gavin Hunt has revealed why reigning Player of the Month Phakamani Mahlambi failed to make it on to the field during their 5-0 thrashing of Polokwane City on Friday.
The Students impressed in front of their home fans as they temporarily moved above Mamelodi Sundowns in the Absa Premiership table, but Mahalmbi was a notable absentee as Sibusiso Vilakazi and James Keene impressed at the Bidvest Stadium.
Hunt revealed that the 18-year-old was dropped due to a loss of form, and suggested that some time on the sidelines would help the South Africa under-23 star learn about adding consistency and work-rate to his game.
"I think his [Mahlambi's] performances have been poor over the last two, three games. He's a young, young boy, so time out doesn't do anybody harm," Hunt told Kickoff.
"Better players than him will sit on the bench and be left out in years to come... I thought it was right to leave him out because of his performances in the past games.
"He hasn't worked hard enough off the ball, he hasn't gotten into the box enough, but he's young; it's good because he's still learning."
The former Transnet School of Excellence graduate has scored five goals and provided two assists in his first nine games in professional football this season.
