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Katlego Mphela

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Katlego Mphela
Personal information
Full name Katlego Abel Mphela[1]
Date of birth (1984-11-29) 29 November 1984 (age 41)
Place of birth Brits, South Africa
Height 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position Forward
Youth career
Early Birds
Arcadia Shepherds
Orlando Pirates
Jomo Cosmos
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2004 Jomo Cosmos 2 (1)
2004–2006 Strasbourg 19 (5)
2005–2006 → Reims (loan) 5 (2)
2006–2008 SuperSport United 62 (10)
2008–2014 Mamelodi Sundowns 116 (48)
2014–2015 Kaizer Chiefs 15 (3)
2015–2017 Royal Eagles 28 (9)
Total 247 (78)
International career
2005–2007 South Africa U-23 7 (5)
2005–2013 South Africa 53 (23)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Katlego Abel Mphela (born 29 November 1984) is a South African retired professional footballer who played as a forward.

Club career

[edit]

Mphela, a product of Jomo Cosmos, played in France for RC Strasbourg Alsace and Stade de Reims, both with limited success.

After returning home he turned out for SuperSport United for the 2007–08 season before joining Mamelodi Sundowns the following season. He then finished the 2009–10 season with 17 goals in 30 games which made him the league's top goalscorer. He won the Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot and was voted PSL Players' Player of the Season.

Mphela joined Chiefs in 2014. He made his debut in a 2–2 draw against Maritzburg United.[2] He scored his first goal for Chiefs against Free State Stars but it was cancelled out almost immediately in a 1–1 draw.[3] Mphela scored on the last league match of the season in the 55th minute against AmaZulu in a 3–0 win.[4]

After two years out of action, 34-year old Mphela announced his retirement in August 2019.[5] He also announced, that he would begin as a coach and that he already was coaching youth players.

International career

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Mphela scored a brace on his debut for the South Africa national team against Seychelles on 26 February 2005.

Following the disappointing 2006 Africa Cup of Nations campaign, Mphela's international career stalled amid inconsistent club form. He was not selected for South Africa's matches in 2006 and 2007, apart from a 2-1 friendly defeat to Egypt on 15 November 2006, when he was called up by caretaker coach Pitso Mosimane.[6] He returned to the national team in January 2008 for a friendly against Mozambique, South Africa's second-last match before the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations. Mphela was subsequently included in Carlos Alberto Parreira's 23-man squad for the tournament in Ghana, despite having not scored for the national team since February 2005.[7] He made his only appearance of the tournament as a substitute in South Africa's second match against Tunisia, scoring his side's consolation goal in a 3-1 defeat. South Africa were eliminated in the group stage after finishing bottom of their group, while Mphela remained a fringe member of the squad.[8]

Mphela's fortunes changed during the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, hosted by South Africa. Although he was included in the squad, he did not feature in any of the team's three group-stage matches against Iraq, New Zealand and Spain. He made his tournament debut as a late substitute in the semi-final against Brazil, replacing Siphiwe Tshabalala in the closing stages of South Africa's 1–0 defeat.[9] He again started on the bench in the third-place play-off against Spain, but made a decisive impact after coming on as a substitute. Mphela scored in the 73rd minute to give South Africa the lead and later equalised in stoppage time with a long-range free kick, making it 2–2 and sending the match into extra time. Spain eventually won 3–2 after Xabi Alonso scored the decisive goal.[10] Mphela's two goals against Spain made him South Africa's joint-top scorer at the tournament and established him as an important attacking option ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. His stoppage-time free kick attracted particular attention and was subsequently nominated for the 2009 FIFA Puskás Award.[11] He continued to feature regularly for the national team in the build-up to the World Cup and scored the winning goal in a 1–0 friendly victory over Madagascar in September 2009, ending South Africa's six-match losing streak.[12]

As hosts of the 2010 World Cup, South Africa did not take part in the qualification process and instead played a number friendly matches in preparation for the tournament, with Mphela featuring regularly in the starting line-up. He enjoyed a prolific year in 2010, scoring 10 goals and finishing just one goal short of Benni McCarthy's record for the most goals scored by a South African player in a calendar year.[13] During the country's final preparations, he scored twice in a 4-0 victory over Thailand and netted the winner in a 2-1 victory over Colombia.[14][15] On 31 May 2010, he took his tally to five goals in four international appearances by scoring twice in a 5-0 friendly victory over Guatemala at the Estadio Mateo Flores.[16] Mphela was included in South Africa's 23 man final squad for the World Cup.[17] He then scored again in South Africa's final warm-up match before the World Cup, a 1-0 victory over Denmark.[18] He played in the inaugural match of the tournament against Mexico, which ended 1–1.[19] Next, Bafana Bafana played against Uruguay, but they lost the game 3–0.[20] In their final group game, he scored the 2nd goal in a 2–1 win against France as South Africa exited the competition.[21]

Following the World Cup, Mphela returned to the national team under new coach Pitso Mosimane. An admirer of the striker, Mosimane sought to build his attack around Mphela, who responded by scoring the only goal in the coach's first match in charge, a 1-0 friendly victory over Ghana.[22] He subsequently scored his 18th international goal, netting the opener in a 2-0 victory over Niger on 4 September 2010 during the 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.[23]Later in the same qualifying campaign, Mphela scored the winning goal in the 93rd minute as South Africa defeated Egypt 1-0. The goal secured South Africa's first victory over Egypt in a competitive match between the two countries and strengthened their hopes of qualification. It also took Mphela's international tally to 19, seeing him surpass Phil Masinga to become South Africa's third-highest goalscorer.[24]

South Africa ultimately failed to qualify for the 2012 African Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. This, together with the team's poor start in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification led to Mosimane's dismissal. His replacement, Gordon Igesund, continued to include Mphela in his squads.[25][26]However, increased competition for places and a series of injuries affected his position in the national team. The emergence of players such as Tokelo Rantie and Lehlohonolo Majoro saw Igesund increasingly favour either player alongside Bernard Parker, leaving Mphela to settle for a place on the bench by the time the 2013 African Cup of Nations came around.[13]

In the warm-up match against Algeria ahead of the tournament, Mphela made his 50th appearance for South Africa and was subsequently named in the 23-man squad.[27][28] He appeared in all three of South Africa's group-stage matches but failed to score and did not feature in the quarter-final against Mali on 2 February 2013, which saw South Africa eliminated after a 3-1 defeat on penalties.[29][30][31]

The tournament proved to be Mphela's last involvement with the national team. He won a total of 53 caps for South Africa and scored 23 goals, finishing as the nation's joint third highest goalscorer alongside Bernard Parker, behind Shaun Bartlett and Benni McCarthy. His international goalscoring record also gave him an average of approximately 0.43 goals per game.[32][33]

Style of play

[edit]

His style of play includes challenging defenders with both pace and strength but he can still play deep as a supporting striker. He is nicknamed "Killer" for his finishing ability.[34]

Career statistics

[edit]

International goals

[edit]
Scores and results list South Africa's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Mphela goal.[35]
List of international goals scored by Katlego Mphela
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
126 February 2005Stade George V, Curepipe, Mauritius Seychelles1–03–02005 COSAFA Cup
22–0
327 February 2005Stade George V, Curepipe, Mauritius Mauritius1–01–02005 COSAFA Cup
427 January 2008Tamale Stadium, Tamale, Ghana Tunisia1–31–32008 Africa Cup of Nations
528 June 2009Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg, South Africa Spain1–02–32009 FIFA Confederations Cup
62–2
712 August 2009Super Stadium, Pretoria, South Africa Serbia1–31–3Friendly
819 September 2009Griquas Park, Kimberley, South Africa Madagascar1–01–0Friendly
93 March 2010Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban, South Africa Namibia1–11–1Friendly
1016 May 2010Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit, South Africa Thailand2–04–0Friendly
113–0
1227 May 2010Soccer City, Johannesburg, South Africa Colombia2–12–1Friendly
1331 May 2010Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane, South Africa Guatemala1–05–0Friendly
144–0
155 June 2010Atteridgeville Super Stadium, Atteridgeville, South Africa Denmark1–01–0Friendly
1622 June 2010Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa France2–02–12010 FIFA World Cup
1711 August 2010Soccer City, Johannesburg, South Africa Ghana1–01–0Friendly
184 September 2010Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit, South Africa Niger1–02–02012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
1926 March 2011Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa Egypt1–01–02012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
2010 August 2011Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa Burkina Faso1–03–0Friendly
213–0
2212 November 2011Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth, South Africa Ivory Coast1–11–1Friendly
233 June 2012Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg, South Africa Ethiopia1–11–12014 FIFA World Cup qualification

References

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  1. ↑ "K.t Mphela". Soccerway. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
  2. ↑ www.realnet.co.uk. "'Killer' Mphela happy with Kaizer Chiefs debut". Kick Off. Archived from the original on 28 March 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  3. ↑ "Kaizer Chiefs 1–1 Free State Stars: Mphela scores but Amakhosi dealt final blow – Yahoo Sports Singapore". sg.sports.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on 26 August 2014.
  4. ↑ "HOME".
  5. ↑ 'Killer' Mphela Makes Shock Announcement!, soccerladuma.co.za, 7 August 2019
  6. ↑ Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Katlego Mphela (Player)". www.national-football-teams.com. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
  7. ↑ "FootballSquads - South Africa - African Cup of Nations 2008". www.footballsquads.co.uk. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
  8. ↑ Reporter, Staff (27 January 2008). "Bafana thrashed by Tunisia". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
  9. ↑ "Brazil 1-0 South Africa". 25 June 2009. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
  10. ↑ "Spain see off South Africa in extra-time to finish third in Confederations Cup". The Guardian. 28 June 2009. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
  11. ↑ "Bafana striker Katlego Mphela reflects the past two years". Kick Off. 25 May 2011. Retrieved 6 September 2026.
  12. ↑ Reporter, Staff (20 September 2009). "Bafana edge past Madagascar". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
  13. 1 2 Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Katlego Mphela (Player)". www.national-football-teams.com. Retrieved 6 September 2026.
  14. ↑ Legge, David (8 June 2010). "Mphela: We are ready for Mexico". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 6 September 2026.
  15. ↑ "South Africa beats Colombia 2-1". www.foxsports.com. FOX Sports. Retrieved 6 September 2026.
  16. ↑ Legge, David (8 June 2010). "Mphela: We are ready for Mexico". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 6 September 2026.
  17. ↑ "World Cup 2010 Group A: Final 23-man squads announced". The Guardian. 1 June 2010. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 6 September 2026.
  18. ↑ "Bafana continue winning streak | SAnews". www.sanews.gov.za. 19 February 2013. Retrieved 6 September 2026.
  19. ↑ "World Cup: South Africa vs. Mexico: It's all over at Soccer City at 1-1". Los Angeles Times. 11 June 2010. Retrieved 6 September 2026.
  20. ↑ Evans, Simon (16 June 2010). "Bafana's World Cup dream in tatters". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 6 September 2026.
  21. ↑ Bevan, Chris (22 June 2010). "France 1–2 South Africa". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  22. ↑ Sapa, Billy Cooper (12 August 2010). "Pitso off to flyer as Bafana down Ghana". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
  23. ↑ "South Africa off to good start". 5 September 2010. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
  24. ↑ "Bafana's late goal sinks Egypt". IOL. 18 May 2007. Retrieved 8 September 2026.
  25. ↑ Hlongwane, Sipho (5 June 2012). "Goodbye, Pitso (hello same old problem)". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 8 September 2026.
  26. ↑ "Igesund gets South Africa job". SkySports. Archived from the original on 2 September 2013. Retrieved 8 September 2026.
  27. ↑ "Abel Katlego Mphela - Goals in International Matches". www.rsssf.org. Retrieved 8 September 2026.
  28. ↑ Guardian, The (30 December 2012). "Bafana Bafana coach announces AFCON 2013 squad". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 September 2026.
  29. ↑ "Wrong approach costs Bafana: SA vs. Cape Verde Review - SABC News - Breaking news, special reports, world, business, sport coverage of all South African current events. Africa's news leader". 20 January 2013. Retrieved 8 September 2026.
  30. ↑ "Impressive Bafana down Angola in 2013 AFCON". Kick Off. 24 January 2013. Retrieved 8 September 2026.
  31. ↑ "South Africa through to quarterfinals, Morocco out". www.foxsports.com. FOX Sports. Retrieved 8 September 2026.
  32. ↑ "Igesund right to drop me: Mphela". Sowetan. 22 March 2013. Retrieved 8 September 2026.
  33. ↑ Johnson, Dylan (15 August 2026). "Bafana Bafana's all-time top scorers". SOCCER MAG. Retrieved 10 September 2026.
  34. ↑ "Mphela's 'killer' instinct lifts South Africa". FIFA.com. FIFA. 26 March 2011. Archived from the original on 22 August 2011. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
  35. ↑ "Mphela, Katlego". National Football Teams. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
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