Lebohang Maboe

Lebohang Kgosana Maboe
Personal information
Full name Lebohang Kgosana Maboe[1]
Date of birth (1994-09-17) 17 September 1994 (age 30)[1]
Place of birth Heidelberg, Gauteng, South Africa
Height 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s) Attacking midfielder / Forward
Team information
Current team
 Mamelodi Sundowns
Number 33
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015–2016 Mbombela United 27 (3)
2016–2018 Maritzburg United 53 (5)
2018– Mamelodi Sundowns 106 (14)
International career‡
2017– South Africa 10 (3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 30 June 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 11:37, 9 November 2018 (UTC)

Lebohang Kgosana Maboe (born 17 September 1994) is a South African professional soccer player who plays as an attacking midfielder or forward for South African Premier Division club Mamelodi Sundowns and the South African national team. He is the son of former Moroka Swallows and Orlando Pirates player Sidwell Maboe.

Club career

Early career

The son of former professional footballer, Sidwell, Maboe began playing football in his home town of Heidelberg where he played with amateur side Ratanda Real Hearts. During his time with Hearts, he was promoted to the club's under-17 side at the age of 14 where his performances at age-group level earned him the opportunity to later join the Kaizer Chiefs academy.[2][3]

Mbombela United

In 2015, Maboe signed for National First Division side Mbombela United where he spent a solitary season. He recorded a return of 3 goals in 27 league appearances to help the club reach the PSL play-offs where they were defeated by Highlands Park.[4] Maboe would advance to the PSL, however, as at the conclusion of the season he was signed by top-flight side, Maritzburg United.[5]

Maritzburg United

Maboe officially joined Maritzburg United in July 2016 where he initially joined up with the club's reserve side.[5][6] He was then promoted to the first team by coach Ernst Middendorp who handed him his debut in October against Free State Stars.[6] He faced challenging circumstances at the club following Middendorp and his replacement Roger de Sa's respective resignations, but nonetheless enjoyed a strong debut season. During the latter parts of the campaign he played in every match under new coach Fadlu Davids and recorded 3 goals in 22 appearances in total.[6]

Maboe's form continued to improve the following season, particularly in the Nedbank Cup where he helped the club to a runners-up finish against Free State Stars. His performances in the tournament earned him the Player of the Tournament and Most Promising Player awards.[7] However, at the end of the season, and with Maritzburg United facing financial difficulties, he was sold to league rivals, Mamelodi Sundowns.[8]

Mamelodi Sundowns

On the opening day of the season, Maboe was handed his debut off the bench by Pitso Mosimane in a 1–1 draw with Kaizer Chiefs. In the next match, he scored his first goal for the club in a 2–0 win over Polokwane City.[9] He ultimately scored nine goals and recorded eight assists as Sundowns retained the PSL title.[10][11]

International career

South Africa

Following his success with Maritzburg United, Maboe received his first international call-up to the senior national team ahead of the 2017 COSAFA Cup.[12] The following year, he returned for the 2018 edition of the competition where he scored three goals in two appearances as South Africa went on to lift the Plate title; equivalent of a fifth-placed finish.[7][13]

Career statistics

International

As of 4 June 2019 [14]
National team Year Apps Goals
South Africa 2017 2 0
2018 6 3
2019 1[note 1] 0
Total 9 3

Honours and awards

Club

Mamelodi Sundowns

Individual

References

Notes

  1. ^ South Africa's match against Ghana on 15 June 2019 is not recognized as an official match by FIFA.

Citations

  1. ^ a b "L.Maboe". Soccerway. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  2. ^ Strydom, Marc (8 June 2018). "Lebohang Maboe suggests he might struggle to say no if Kaizer Chiefs came knocking". Sowetan Live. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  3. ^ Zakwe, Nondumiso (17 May 2018). "Maboe on a mission". News 24. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  4. ^ Cooper, Billy (6 July 2016). "Chippa sign three players for 2016-17 season". Daily Sun. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  5. ^ a b "Maritzburg Unveil Moon, Fransman & Eight Others". Soccer Laduma. 12 July 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  6. ^ a b c Madlala, Robin-Duke (1 June 2017). "Ernst Middendorp reveals he saw something special in Maritzburg United's Lebohang Maboe". Kick Off. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  7. ^ a b c d "Maboe valued at R8 million, report claims". News 24. 9 July 2018. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  8. ^ Strydom, Marc (3 August 2018). "Maritzburg's loss of millions forced them to sell Maboe to Sundowns". Times Live. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  9. ^ Mphahlele, Mahlatse (7 August 2018). "Lebohang Maboe on target as Sundowns make light work of Polokwane City". Sowetan Live. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  10. ^ "Check Out Maboe's Best Looks". Soccer Laduma. 11 May 2019. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  11. ^ a b "Mamelodi Sundowns crowned PSL champions". News 24. 11 May 2019. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  12. ^ "Maritzburg United midfielder Lebohang Maboe thrilled with Bafana spot for COSAFA Castle Cup". Kick Off. 23 June 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  13. ^ Strydom, Marc (8 June 2018). "Bafana beat Botswana to lift Plate in Cosafa Cup". Times Live. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  14. ^ "Lebohang Maboe - National Football Teams". Retrieved 9 November 2018.