Yanela Mbuthuma
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 23 February 2002 | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Orlando Pirates | ||
| Number | 9 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Thohoyandou | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2022– | Richards Bay | 24 | (1) |
| International career‡ | |||
| South Africa U23 | |||
| 2025– | South Africa | 1 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 27 July 2023 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 10 June 2025 | |||
Yanela Mbuthuma (born 23 February 2002) is a South African soccer player who plays as a forward for Orlando Pirates in the Premier Soccer League and the South Africa national team.
Mbuthuma joined Richards Bay from Thohoyandou in the summer of 2022.[1] He was discovered by Richards Bay at the Khabba Cup, where he was designated "player of the tournament".[2] He subsequently made his first-tier debut in the 2022-23 South African Premier Division.[3] His first goal was the winning goal against Sekhukhune United in August 2022.[4]
After the season, the Sunday Times eyed him as one of the players who should move to an overseas club to develop further.[5] Mbuthuma was named in the preliminary South Africa squad for the 2023 COSAFA Cup.[6] He also played for South Africa U23 the same year, during the 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualification.[7]
References
- ^ "Richards Bay unveil 10 new signings ahead of 2022/23 DStv Premiership season". Head Topics South Africa. 1 July 2022. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
- ^ Dladla, Nkululeko (14 June 2023). "Khabba Cup talent linked with Orlando Pirates". SABC Sport. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
- ^ Yanela Mbuthuma at Soccerway
- ^ Madlala, Robin-Duke (17 August 2022). "Yanela targets more goals accreditation". Daily Sun. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
- ^ Dindi, Sithembiso (1 July 2023). "Young players who need to play their last season in the PSL and move overseas". Sunday Times. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
- ^ Gibbs, Herman (25 June 2023). "Bright local talent called up to Bafana COSAFA squad". DFA. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
- ^ "Notoane names SA squad for CAF U23 Olympic Qualifiers clash against Congo". SAFA. 16 March 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.