Some playing careers don’t burn long but they burn bright. Orlando Pirates once had one of South Africa’s most gifted footballers ever on their books.
Orlando Pirates once had the honour of playing Mabizela
Mdulelo ‘Oldjohn’ Mabizela was a cultured, sublimely gifted central defender who never really fulfilled his immense potential as a footballer. 45 caps for Bafana Bafana isn’t an awful tally, but it could have been more. He only won a solitary piece of major silverware, the Norwegian title with Valerenga in 2005. And yet, we all remember his playing career so fondly because football fans know good players when they see them. He always courted controversy, but that’s not what discussions around Mbulelo Mabizela always have to cover.
Tottenham saw enough of him in a Pirates jersey to part with R44 million (in today’s terms) to sign Mabizela in July 2003. The talent was always obvious. It was never in doubt.
Oldjohn fast facts
- Date of birth: September 16th, 1980
- Place of birth: Pietermaritzburg
- Position: Cultured centre-back
- Total transfer fees paid: €3.2m (R62 million)
- Clubs represented: Maritzburg, Orlando Pirates, Tottenham (England) Valerenga (Norway), Sundowns, Platinum Stars, Wits, Chippa, Mpumalanga Black Aces, AmaZulu, Royal Eagles.
Where is former Orlando Pirates man Mabizela now?
According to Nokuthula Ngcobo of The South African:
Mabizela is now an HIV/Aids councillor, according to an interview he did with the SABC in 2019.
He spends most of his time advising young people on wise money choices and how to avoid drugs and alcohol and the importance of that. During the interview, he revealed that before his regrettable life choices, he was well on his way to playing for Spanish giants Barcelona.
In July last year, Mabizela made headlines when he took a dig at the current DStv Premier Soccer League (PSL) players, telling seasoned sportscaster, Robert Marawa, on his show MSW that he no longer watches the league. OJ said that the standard of football has significantly dropped.
Mabizela SCREAMER
It’d be remiss not to link you to Mabizela’s one and only goal for English Premier League side Tottenham. He only made nine appearances for the Londoners, and this strike was on his debut as a substitute!
What are your best Mbulelo Mabizela memories?
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