Orlando Pirates have had many great midfield players in history, one of the most special was Thabo Mngomeni. Where is he now?
THABO MNGOMENI, THE ORLANDO PIRATES LEGEND
Born in Langa, Cape Town, Mngomeni enjoyed an interesting rise before arriving at Orlando Pirates. Living as a rastafarian, his career started at Cape Town Spurs, before moving on to Umthatha Bush Bucks, and later the Soweto giants Orlando Pirates. Mngomeni’s last football club was back in Cape Town at Hellenic where he retired in 2003.
Mngomeni’s international career included 37 games and seven goals for Bafana Bafana, including his win of the CAF Goal of the Year with that bicycle kick against Congo in 2001.
WHERE IS HE NOW?
The Orlando Pirates legend has been back to national colours. Mngomeni recently joined South Africa’s U15 assistant coach to Godfrey Sapula.
“Coach Godfrey Sapula will be the head coach of the U15 national team as he has a lot of experience with this age group. Coaches Thabo Mngomeni, Smuts Ndlovu and Lazarus Kgosana will be the three assistants,” SAFA annnounced in September 2023.
Did you know?
Thabo Mngomeni’s younger brother, Thando also enjoyed a long professional football career. The lanky midfielder started his career at Rhodes High School before signing for Santos. He later moved to the likes of Wits University, Mamelodi Sundowns, SuperSport United, Helsingborgs IF (Sweden) and The Magic FC in the second division.
Do you have any special memories of Thabo Mngomeni or his younger brother Thando? Please share in the comments section below.