South African player in Turkey looks to Islam
Sports |
Turkish Super League club Torku Konyaspor's recent signing, South African midfielder May Mahlangu, talks about career, family and faith.
A South African footballer playing in Turkeys top-flight football league has said he is thinking of converting to Islam.
Torku Konyaspor's mid-season transfer, South African May Mahlangu, spoke to The Anadolu Agency about his career, his family and his faith.
Having started his football career in the Stars of Africa Academy in 2004, the 25-year-old central midfielder Mahlangu says: "My father was a Muslim and my mother was a Christian. I went to mosque with my father and went to church with my mother. There were so many people around me from both religions and I grew up with them."
So I am half-Muslim and half-Christian. After arriving in Turkey, I interacted with Muslims more. I am interested in Islam so much and I get along with my Muslim friends here, so I think about becoming a Muslim."
Mahlangu said that Turkish league is difficult and has higher quality than other competitions in Europe. "The league is appropriate for developing. Besides, there are many good players around the world [here]. Emmanuel Emenike, Wesley Sneijder, Moussa Sow and Demba Ba are playing in Turkey. That's why the Spor Toto Super League is quality."
He also added that the Super League is physically and technically superior to other competitions he played in before.
Mahlangu said he had no favorite for this years title challenge with Fenerbahce, Besiktas and Galatasaray each having an equal chance of claiming top spot.
Having played for Alexandra United in South Africa from 2006 to 2008, he transferred to Sweden's IF Helsingborg. Mahlangu went to another Swedish club, Hassleholm, on loan where he scored seven goals in 98 matches there.
Last season Mahlangu competed for Swedish Super League team IFK Goteborg where he found the net six times in 24 league appearances.
Anadolu Agency
Torku Konyaspor's mid-season transfer, South African May Mahlangu, spoke to The Anadolu Agency about his career, his family and his faith.
Having started his football career in the Stars of Africa Academy in 2004, the 25-year-old central midfielder Mahlangu says: "My father was a Muslim and my mother was a Christian. I went to mosque with my father and went to church with my mother. There were so many people around me from both religions and I grew up with them."
So I am half-Muslim and half-Christian. After arriving in Turkey, I interacted with Muslims more. I am interested in Islam so much and I get along with my Muslim friends here, so I think about becoming a Muslim."
Mahlangu said that Turkish league is difficult and has higher quality than other competitions in Europe. "The league is appropriate for developing. Besides, there are many good players around the world [here]. Emmanuel Emenike, Wesley Sneijder, Moussa Sow and Demba Ba are playing in Turkey. That's why the Spor Toto Super League is quality."
He also added that the Super League is physically and technically superior to other competitions he played in before.
Mahlangu said he had no favorite for this years title challenge with Fenerbahce, Besiktas and Galatasaray each having an equal chance of claiming top spot.
Having played for Alexandra United in South Africa from 2006 to 2008, he transferred to Sweden's IF Helsingborg. Mahlangu went to another Swedish club, Hassleholm, on loan where he scored seven goals in 98 matches there.
Last season Mahlangu competed for Swedish Super League team IFK Goteborg where he found the net six times in 24 league appearances.
Anadolu Agency
