Kabelo Mahlasela (born 13 February 1991) is a South African soccer player who plays for South African Premier Division side Royal AM.

Kabelo Mahlasela
Personal information
Date of birth (1991-02-13) 13 February 1991 (age 33)
Place of birth Sebokeng, South Africa
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Royal AM
Number 12
Youth career
–2012 Orlando Pirates
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2014 Roses United 7 (1)
2013–2014Sivutsa Stars (loan) 28 (2)
2014–2015 Royal Eagles 22 (5)
2015–2018 Bloemfontein Celtic 33 (2)
2016Royal Eagles (loan) 10 (2)
2018–2020 Kaizer Chiefs 11 (0)
2020Polokwane City (loan) 6 (0)
2020– Royal AM 74 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 1 August 2024

Career

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Early career

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Born in Sebokeng,[1] Mahlasela played youth football at Orlando Pirates, but failed to make a first team appearance there.[2] He joined Roses United in 2012 before going on to play for Sivutsa Stars on loan and later Royal Eagles.[3][4]

Bloemfontein Celtic

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In August 2015, Mahlasela joined Bloemfontein Celtic on a three-year contract.[5] He made his debut for Celtic, and only appearance for the club over the course of the 2015–16 season on 18 December 2015, coming on as a late substitute in a 2–1 defeat away to Chippa United.[6] In January 2016, Mahlasela rejoined Royal Eagles on loan until the end of the 2015–16 season.[7] During his return to Royal Eagles, he made ten appearances, in which he scored two goals.[8]

The 2016–17 season saw Mahlasela play more regularly for the club, making 20 appearances in which he scored one goal, whilst in the 2017–18 season, he made 12 appearances for the club, in which he scored once.[8]

Kaizer Chiefs

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On 3 January 2018, he joined Kaizer Chiefs on a two-and-a-half-year deal.[9] However, just 3 days later, in his first training session for the club, he suffered a knee injury, ruling him out for the following 8 months.[10][11] Following his return from injury, he made his debut for Kaizer Chiefs on 7 August 2018 as a late substitute in a home defeat to Bidvest Wits.[12] However, he struggled to hold down a first-team place for the club, making just 11 appearances for the club during the 2018–19 season.[11][8]

Mahlasela failed to appear for Kaizer Chiefs in the league during the first half of the 2019–20 season, and as a result, he joined Polokwane City on loan until the end of the season in January 2020.[13] He appeared for the first time for Polokwane City on 11 January 2020, coming on as a first-half substitute in a 1–0 defeat away at Baroka. In April 2020, Mahlasela revealed he was enjoying playing for the club and pleased that he was playing regular football.[14] He was released by Chiefs at the end of the season.[15]

Style of play

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Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Frank Makua described him as 'a player that will give you flair', though admits Mahlasela struggled at Kaizer Chiefs because of his style of play.[16]

References

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  1. ^ Motshwane, Gomolemo (7 February 2019). "Soweto derby: Old friends Kabelo Mahlasela and Alfred Ndengane to turn to foes on derby day". Sowetan Live. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  2. ^ Ratsie, Ofentse (3 January 2020). "Chiefs confirm the departure of defender Gordinho and arrival of Mahlasela". The Times (South Africa). Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  3. ^ "Kabelo Mahlasela". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  4. ^ "Royal Eagles Make Another Signing". Soccer Laduma. 29 August 2014. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  5. ^ Fakude, Ernest (28 August 2018). "PSL transfer news: Bloemfontein Celtic sign Kabelo Mahlasela from Orlando Pirates". Kick Off. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  6. ^ "Chippa United vs. Bloemfontein Celtic - 18 December 2015 - Soccerway". Soccerway. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  7. ^ Fakude, Ernest (27 January 2016). "Royal Eagles say Katlego Mphela wasn't AWOL, back in training". Kick Off. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  8. ^ a b c Kabelo Mahlasela at Soccerway. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  9. ^ "Mahlasela joins Kaizer Chiefs". The Citizen. 3 January 2018. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  10. ^ "Mahlasela Injury Update". Kaizer Chiefs. 6 January 2018. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  11. ^ a b Mkhize, Minenhie (31 March 2020). "Mahlasela forfeits title shot at Kaizer Chiefs to help Polokwane City survive". Independent Online. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  12. ^ "Kaizer Chiefs vs. Bidvest Wits - 7 August 2018 - Soccerway". Soccerway. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  13. ^ Ratsie, Ofentse (9 January 2020). "Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Kabelo Mahlasela joins Polokwane City". The Times (South Africa). Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  14. ^ Ditlhobolo, Austin (2 April 2020). "Coronavirus came and spoilt it all for me at Polokwane City - Kaizer Chiefs loanee Mahlasela". goal.com. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  15. ^ Mkhize, Minenehle (30 June 2020). "Chiefs let Kabelo Mahlasela go after two seasons". Independent Online. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  16. ^ Mlotha, Sipho (13 January 2020). "Frank 'Disco' Makua: Kabelo Mahlasela did not fail at Kaizer Chiefs". Kick Off. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
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