Siyabonga Nicolas Mabena (born 18 February 2007) is a South African professional footballer who plays as a forward for Mamelodi Sundowns. He is regarded as one of the best young players in South Africa.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Siyabonga Nicolas Mabena[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 18 February 2007 | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Mamelodi Sundowns | ||
| Number | 22 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Transnet School of Excellence | |||
| 2022–2023 | Mamelodi Sundowns | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2023– | Mamelodi Sundowns | 13 | (1) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2022– | South Africa U17 | 9 | (10) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15 October 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 20 June 2023 | |||
In 2024 mabena was included in the English newspaper The guardian's list of the best players born in 2007 worldwide.
Club career
editMabena progressed through the Transnet School of Excellence, before being subject to strong interest from fellow South African sides Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates in 2022.[2] He chose to join the Sundowns, with teammate Relebohile Ratomo joining the Pirates, and was promoted to the Sundowns' under-19 team at the age of fifteen.[3]
On 14 March 2023, he was a shock inclusion in Rhulani Mokwena's squad for the DStv Premiership match against Royal AM.[3] With the score at 5–1, Mabena was brought on as a substitute for Themba Zwane, becoming the fifth youngest debutant ever in the South African top flight in the process.[4] Following the game, manager Mokwena compared Mabena to the late Gift Leremi, lauding his balance, ability to play with both feet, and his change of direction at speed.[5]On the 27 of September 2023 Siyabonga Mabena became the youngest player to score in the Premier Soccer League at the age of 16 years 7 months and 9 days playing for Mamelodi Sundowns against Sekhukhune United.
International Career
editYouth
editMabena was called up to the South African under-17 squad for the 2022 COSAFA Under-17 Championship. He scored five goals in South Africa's 11–0 win over the Seychelles, and followed this up with a hat trick in the 5–1 semi-final win over Malawi.[6][7] Although South Africa were beaten 1–0 in the final by Zambia, Mabena was named both top scorer and player of the tournament, having scored nine goals in five appearances.[8]
Career statistics
editClub
edit- As of 20 June 2023[9]
| Club | Season | League | League Cup | Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Mamelodi Sundowns | 2022–23 | South African Premier Division | 4 | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Career total | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | ||
- ^ Appearances in the Nedbank Cup
References
edit- ^ Siyabonga Mabena at WorldFootball.net
- ^ Sang, Kiplagat (7 December 2022). "Mabena: How Orlando Pirates-Mamelodi Sundowns transfer tug-of-war over Bafana Bafana youngster was resolved". goal.com. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
- ^ a b Dove, Ed (14 March 2023). "Siyabonga Mabena: Who is 16-year-old ex-Orlando Pirates _target on Mamelodi Sundowns' bench?". goal.com. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
- ^ Vardien, Tashreeq (15 March 2023). "LIST - Youngest debutants in PSL history after Sundowns field 16-year-old Siyabonga Mabena". news24.com. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
- ^ Mphahlele, Mahlatse (15 March 2023). "Mokwena compares Sundowns' 16-year-old debutant Mabena to Gift Leremi". timeslive.co.za.
- ^ "Zambia, South Africa start with Group B wins in Boys' U17 qualifiers". cosafa.com. 3 December 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
- ^ "Zambia, South Africa book final places in Boys' U17 qualifier in Lilongwe". cosafa.com. 9 December 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
- ^ "Zambia, South Africa both take gold at Region 5 Games Lilongwe 2022". cosafa.com. 11 December 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
- ^ Siyabonga Mabena at Soccerway