Thapelo Maseko: How Kaizer Chiefs missed out on Bafana star

Thapelo Maseko’s first coach, Isaac Mphashane of Vaal Juventus, has revealed that both Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns were eager to sign the talented forward when he was just a boy.

Maseko, now 22, began his professional career at the SuperSport United Academy before being promoted to the senior team. He later made a high-profile move to Sundowns for the 2023/24 season.

After finding his opportunities limited at Sundowns, he spent the latter half of the last season on loan at AEL Limassol in Cyprus. During his time there, he made 15 appearances and scored two goals, earning him a spot in the Bafana Bafana squad for the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada.

Maseko recently made history by scoring the goal that secured South Africa’s first-ever advancement to the knockout round of the World Cup. His former coach, Mphashane, recounted the pivotal moment that set him on the path to professional football.

Kaizer Chiefs interest did not bear fruit

“There was a school tournament at VUT and scouts were there,” Mphashane explained during an interview on Sport Night Amplified With Andile as per iDiski Times.

“Kaizer Chiefs were fighting for Thapelo, Sundowns were looking to sign him, and so was SuperSport. But I sat down with his parents and told them, ‘In my view, I want to take this boy to SuperSport because Sundowns and Chiefs are big teams that buy established players. Let’s be patient, take him to SuperSport, and we’ll see his progress from there.'”

The decision paid off. “When he arrived, he played for the U17s, but only for two games. I remember it clearly. After that, they promoted him to the U19s. From there, he moved to the DDC [DStv Diski Challenge] team, and even [then SuperSport CEO] Stan Matthews was thrilled to have a player like him.”

Mphashane, affectionately known as ‘Ngamla’, also shared how Maseko’s advanced ability often led to accusations of age-cheating from opponents.

Remarkable talents at a very young age

“Thapelo was nine years old when he started playing for Juventus,” Mphashane recalled. “After a senior team training session, the young boys would play around with the ball and I noticed he had a special technique. I called him over and asked which team he played for, and he said he didn’t have one.”

“I told him to come to training the next day so I could take a closer look. At just nine years old, he was playing in the U13 team. By the time he moved up to the U15s, he was exceptional, playing in the LFA League.”

“When we played against other teams, they would complain, saying we were cheating and that Thapelo was too old for the division. But he was only 13 at the time, just a marvelous player in the U15s.”

Maseko is expected to make the move to Cyprus permanent after impressing in his initial loan move and with the national team at the World Cup.