Siyabonga Mbatha (born 4 February 1989) is a South African soccer player who played as a goalkeeper.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 4 February 1989 | ||
| Height | 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2010–2012 | Bloemfontein Celtic | 1 | (0) |
| 2012–2014 | African Warriors | 39 | (0) |
| 2014–2015 | Ubuntu Cape Town | 7 | (0) |
| 2015–2017 | Thanda Royal Zulu | 41 | (0) |
| 2017–2021 | AmaZulu | 68 | (0) |
| 2021–2023 | Lamontville Golden Arrows | 4 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16 November 2024 | |||
Career
editMbatha made his first-tier debut in the 2010–11 South African Premier Division, when he was allowed to start the penultimate match of the season for Bloemfontein Celtic. Mbatha kept a clean sheet. Nonetheless, he did not get more chances at Bloemfontein Celtic.[1][2] At Thanda Royal Zulu, Mbatha won the 2016–17 National First Division. The team would have been promoted to the 2017-18 South African Premier Division, but sold its status to AmaZulu. Mbatha followed over to AmaZulu and eventually established himself there.[3]
Mbatha showed especially good form in 2019, keeping several clean sheets, and it caused "an uproar on social media" when he was not called up to Bafana Bafana for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.[4][5][6][7] Despite the wishes and suggestions of some, Mbatha was not called up in 2020 either.[8]
In the summer of 2020, AmaZulu exercised an option to extended the contract with Mbatha for another year.[9] In the fall of 2020, Mbatha was injured during a match and substituted for Neil Boshoff, with the club also signing Veli Mothwa. Mbatha stated that he welcomed the competition with Mothwa.[10] However, Mothwa edged out Mbatha to become their starting goalkeeper.[3] By the end of the 2020–21 season, Mbatha left AmaZulu[11] and signed for Lamontville Golden Arrows.
Having played one league match in 2021 (for AmaZulu) and none in 2022, Mbatha returned in February 2023 to make his debut for the Golden Arrows. It happened in the cup,[12] and he also played a handful of league games. Following his very limited playing time, Mbatha was released in the summer of 2023.[3] There were several different rumours about him joining another Premier Division club.[13][14]
Post-playing career
editHe hails from Umlazi near Durban. In 2018, he established the Siyabonga Qhamukile Foundation, named after his paternal grandmother Qhamukile.[15]
Already while playing for the Golden Arrows, Mbatha completed a course at the Gordon Institute of Business Science to earn a "certificate in business studies". It became possible through the PSL Player Transition Programme.[16]
In 2024 he appeared in the TV series Uzalo on SABC 1, playing a member of the team coached by Siyabonga Nomvethe.[17]
References
edit- ^ Siyabonga Mbatha at Soccerway. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "AmaZulu's good start partly down to their keepers‚ says Siyabonga Mbatha". Times Live. 13 October 2017. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ a b c Madlala, Robin-Duke (15 August 2023). "Arrows Part Ways With Mbatha". iDiski Times. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ Ndebele, Sihle (14 February 2019). "Calls for keeper Mbatha to get Bafana shot mount". Sowetan Live. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ Dladla, Nkululeko (19 February 2019). "AmaZulu goalkeeper Siyabonga Mbatha having his best season yet". Kick Off. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "Mbatha left heartbroken by Bafana snub". The Citizen. 12 March 2019. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "Johnson will respect Bafana selectors on Mbatha decision". News 24. 13 February 2019. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "Siyabonga Mbatha reacts to Bafana Bafana snub". Ernest Fakude. 4 May 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "Siyabonga Mbatha extends his stay with AmaZulu". News 24. 2 July 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ Khoza, Neville. "Mbatha feels Mothwa will push him to perform better". Sowetan Live. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ Qoshe, Yolulwe (22 June 2021). "Siyabonga Mbatha leaves AmaZulu, new club already decided – and it's NOT Orlando Pirates". The South African. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ Dladla, Nkululeko (9 March 2023). "Lamontville Golden Arrows Goalkeeper Siyabonga Mbatha grateful to be back". SABC Sport. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ Sithole, Sinethemba (9 October 2023). "Two DStv Premiership offers on table for Siyabonga Mbatha". FAR Post. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ Sithole, Sinethemba (28 December 2023). "Two PSL clubs in pursuit of Siyabonga Mbatha". FAR Post. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ Ndebele, Sihle (14 July 2019). "Gran's kind spirit inspires Siyabonga Mbatha". Sunday World. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ Ndebele, Sihle (17 November 2022). "Mbatha beaming with pride after attaining qualification". Sowetan Live. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ Luthuli, Lusanda (31 July 2024). "Ex-PSL Star Bags Acting Role". Soccer Laduma. Retrieved 16 November 2024.