Siyabonga Nicolas Mabena (born 18 February 2007) is a South African professional footballer who plays as a forward for Mamelodi Sundowns.
| 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 | |||
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]
International career
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 | 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