Siyanda Xulu (born 30 December 1991) is a South African professional soccer player who plays as a centre-back for SuperSport United and the South Africa national team.

Siyanda Xulu
Xulu with FC Rostov in 2013
Personal information
Full name Siyanda Xulu
Date of birth (1991-12-30) 30 December 1991 (age 32)
Place of birth Durban, South Africa
Height 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
SuperSport United
Number 5
Youth career
0000–2008 Royal Coastal
2008–2009 Kaizer Chiefs
2009 Mamelodi Sundowns
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2012 Mamelodi Sundowns 72 (4)
2012–2015 Rostov 30 (0)
2015–2017 Kaizer Chiefs 6 (0)
2017–2020 Maritzburg United 70 (3)
2020–2022 Hapoel Tel Aviv 49 (0)
2022–2023 Turan Tovuz 25 (1)
2023– SuperSport United 8 (0)
International career
2012– South Africa 31 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16 November 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 1 April 2024

Club career

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Xulu was born in Durban. During his formative years, he spent time in the Kaizer Chiefs academy before being released in 2009 whereafter he joined Mamelodi Sundowns.[1][2]

In May 2010 Xulu was offered a trial by Barcelona,[3] before having a two-week trial with Arsenal in September 2010, which he also failed to do enough to win a contract.[4]

In September 2012 Xulu joined Russian Premier League side FC Rostov, signing a four-year contract.[5] At Rostov, Zulu won the Russian Cup of the 2013–14 footballing season.[6]

He was released by Maritzburg United at the end of the 2019–20 season.[7]

On 29 July 2020, Xulu signed for Israeli Premier League club Hapoel Tel Aviv.[8]

On 30 June 2023, Turan Tovuz announced the departure of Xulu after his contract had expired.[9]

On 28 July 2023, SuperSport United announced the signing of Xulu to a two-year contract.[10]

International career

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Xulu made his debut for the South Africa national team on 15 June 2012 in the match against Gabon, he substituted Morgan Gould at the 80th minute. On 28 May 2018, he was named captain for the nation's 2018 COSAFA Cup campaign.[11]

Career statistics

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As of match played 22 May 2023[6]

Club

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Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Mamelodi Sundowns 2009–10 Premier Division 21 3 21 3
2010–11 25 1 25 1
2011–12 26 0 3 0 4[a] 0 31 0
2012–13 0 0 0 0 2[b] 0 1 0
Total 72 4 3 0 5 0 80 4
Rostov 2012–13 Russian Premier League 11 0 1 0 1 0 13 0
2013–14 15 0 1 0 16 0
2014–15 4 0 1 0 0[c] 0 0 0 5 0
Total 30 0 3 0 1 0 34 0
Kaizer Chiefs 2015–16 Premier Division 5 0 0 0 0[d] 0 4[e] 0 9 0
2016–17 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Total 6 0 0 0 4 0 10 0
Maritzburg United 2017–18 Premier Division 29 2 5 1 4[f] 0 38 3
2018–19 29 0 1 0 3[g] 0 33 0
2019–20 12 1 2 0 2[h] 0 16 1
Total 70 3 8 1 9 0 87 4
Hapoel Tel Aviv 2020–21 Israeli Premier League 31 0 3 1 1[i] 0 35 1
2021–22 18 0 1 0 5[i] 0 24 0
Total 49 0 4 1 6 0 59 1
Turan Tovuz 2022–23 Azerbaijan Premier League 25 1 2 0 27 1
Career total 252 8 20 2 0 0 25 0 297 10
  1. ^ Three appearances in the MTN 8 Cup and one appearance in the Telkom Knockout.
  2. ^ One appearance in the Telkom Knockout.
  3. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  4. ^ Appearances in CAF Champions League
  5. ^ Four appearances in the MTN 8 Cup.
  6. ^ Three appearances in the MTN 8 Cup and one appearance in the Telkom Knockout.
  7. ^ One appearances in the MTN 8 Cup and two appearances in the Telkom Knockout.
  8. ^ Two appearances in the Telkom Knockout.
  9. ^ a b Appearances in the Toto Cup

International

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As of matches played on 10 February 2024[12]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
South Africa 2012 1 0
2013 2 0
2014 1 0
2018 3 1
2021 7 0
2022 4 0
2023 9 0
2024 4 0
Total 31 0
As of match played on 5 June 2018
Scores and results list South Africa's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Xulu goal.[12]
List of international goals scored by Siyanda Xulu
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 5 June 2018 Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane, South Africa   Namibia 4–1 4–1 2018 COSAFA Cup

Honours

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Rostov[6]

South Africa

References

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  1. ^ Xulu and Abraw lead list of seven players released by Kaizer Chiefs, goal.com, 13 June 2017
  2. ^ "Why Siyanda Xulu chose Kaizer Chiefs over Mamelodi Sundowns". Kickoff.com.
  3. ^ "Barcelona offers trials for South African prospect Siyanda Xulu". totalbarca. Archived from the original on 18 August 2010. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  4. ^ "MAMELODI SUNDOWNS DEFENDER SIYANDA XULU FAILS TO WIN ARSENAL DEAL". Tribalfootball. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  5. ^ "Ксулу перешел в "Ростов"". FC Rostov. Archived from the original on 17 May 2014. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  6. ^ a b c Siyanda Xulu at Soccerway
  7. ^ Mkhize, Minenhle (29 June 2020). "Siyanda Xulu leaves Maritzburg United". Independent Online. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  8. ^ Rahmani, Maor (29 July 2020). "הבלם סיאנדה קולו סיכם לשנתיים בהפועל ת"א" (in Hebrew). One. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  9. ^ ""Turan Tovuz" PFK müqavilə müddətləri başa çatan Turan Vəlizadə, Natan Oduva, Şakir Seyidov və Siyanda Xuluya xidmətlərinə görə təşəkkür edir, gələcək karyerasında uğurlar arzulayır!". facebook.com/TuranTovuzPFK (in Azerbaijani). Turan Tovuz Facebook. 30 June 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  10. ^ "XULU SIGNS FOR UNITED". supersportunited.co.za. SuperSport United F.C. 28 July 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  11. ^ "Maritzburg United's Siyanda Xulu surprised by Bafana captaincy for COSAFA Cup". Kick Off. 28 May 2018. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  12. ^ a b "Siyanda Xulu". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  13. ^ Edwards, Piers (10 February 2024). "South Africa 0–0 DR Congo". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 12 February 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2024.