Thabani Mthembu (born 17 July 1994) is a South African professional footballer who last played for TS Sporting as a striker.[1][2]
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Thabani Mthembu | ||
Date of birth | 17 July 1994 | ||
Place of birth | Pinetown, South Africa | ||
Position(s) | Striker | ||
Youth career | |||
Fast Movers | |||
Mvuzane Blue Aces | |||
2010–2011 | Kaizer Chiefs | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2012–2014 | Platinum Stars | 19 | (0) |
2014–2017 | Supersport United | 1 | (0) |
2015 | → Vasco da Gama (loan) | 11 | (1) |
2015–2016 | → Santos (loan) | 14 | (1) |
2021 | TS Sporting | 4 | (0) |
International career‡ | |||
2012 | South African U-20 | 5 | (5[citation needed]) |
2013 | South Africa | 2 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 7 October 2022 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 7 October 2022 |
Club career
editMthembu began his youth career playing for local sides Fast Movers and Mvuzane Blue Aces prior to joining the Kaizer Chiefs academy.[3] He only spent one year at Chiefs before he was suspended for suspected age cheating.[4]
He then moved to Vodacom League side Young Mates FC before joining Platinum Stars on a three-year deal in June 2012 after impressing in the 2012 Cape Town International Challenge.[5] He made his debut for Dikwena on 27 October 2012 in a 4–0 over Free State Stars at Royal Bafokeng Stadium, coming on, in the 85th minute.[6] In Mthembu's two seasons at Stars, Mthembu played 19 league games but did not score any goals and he was not in the match day squads when Stars won the MTN8 and Telkom Knockout.[7]
He joined Supersport United in July 2014, as a free agent as his contract was not renewed, after he went for trials. During his trials he scored against cross-town rivals Mamelodi Sundowns in the Gauteng Cup.[7] He made his league debut for Matsatsantsa on 9 August 2014 in a 1–0 loss to Bidvest Wits, coming in as a substitute and played 18 minutes.[2] He was sent on loan to Vasco da Gama.[8]
International career
editMthembu has played for the South African under-20 team and was the top scorer with 5 goals at the 2012 Cape Town International Challenge.[9]
He was part of the South Africa squad for the 2013 COSAFA Cup and made his senior debut against Zambia on his 19th birthday. He was capped twice.[10]
References
edit- ^ Thabani Mthembu at Soccerway
- ^ a b "Thabani Mthembu Bio, Stats, News, Video at Football.com". football.com. Archived from the original on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
- ^ "Thabani Mthembu Q&A". MTN Football. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
- ^ "Age-cheating angers Chiefs". News24. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
- ^ "Stars Confirm Mthembu and Ngele Signings". Soccer Laduma. Archived from the original on 12 September 2013. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
- ^ "Platinum Stars v Free State Stars Live Commentary & Result, 27/10/2012, PSL | Goal.com". Goal. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
- ^ a b "Mthembu seals SSU switch". Sport. 23 July 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
- ^ "Thabani Mthembu to Head Back to SuperSport United at the End of the Season".
- ^ "South Africa's football youngsters shine". Retrieved 12 September 2013.
- ^ Thabani Mthembu at National-Football-Teams.com