Mamelodi Sundowns’ new signing, Katlego ‘Tsiki’ Ntsabeleng, has revealed how an Orlando Pirates star helped him launch his professional career.
Ntsabeleng recently signed with Sundowns on a season-long loan from Major League Soccer [MLS] side FC Dallas.
The 27-year-old is the third signing for Masandawana in the current transfer window, as the club opted to sign a few players.
The reduced number of activities in the transfer window was necessitated by Miguel Cardoso’s desire to work with a smaller squad in the 2025/26 season.
So far in this window, Sundowns have signed Ntsabeleng, Fawaaz Basadien, and Aphelele Teto. But the latter has been sent on loan to AmaTuks in the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
WHICH PIRATES STAR HELPED NTSABELENG LAUNCH HIS CAREER?
Speaking in an interview with Sundowns’ Pitchside Podcast, Ntsabeleng recalled the early days of his career, revealing that Pirates midfielder Kabelo Dlamini organised trials for him to join Stars of Africa Academy, owned by former Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Farouk Khan.
The talented winger went on to play for the Chiefs and Sundowns youth teams before making a move overseas. ‘Tsiki’ played for Reading United in the USA before making a move to Dallas, where he made over 90 appearances, scoring two goals, and providing seven assists.
“So what happened is that a friend of mine, who actually plays for Orlando Pirates, Kabelo Dlamini, he was at Stars of Africa at the time, so he helped me to get the trial,” Ntsabeleng said.
“I managed to impress Farouk Khan, and he offered me a scholarship to stay there. So I stayed there until I finished high school. And after high school, we had to make a decision because the plan with the academy was that after high school, they would try to send me overseas.
“I always wanted to play overseas; that has always been a big dream for me. It came from my dad because he told me that if you want to be the best, you have to play with the best.
“Not to say I’m undermining anything about South Africa, but as a young guy, you always dream of being out there.”
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