Masilela doing Masilela things down the left flank. Image: Goal

Where is humble Bafana Bafana legend Tsepo Masilela now?

The finest full-back in Bafana’s history?

by James Freemantle

02-05-2024 13:33

in Premier Soccer League

Masilela doing Masilela things down the left flank. Image: Goal

Tsepo Masilela was a rock-solid performer for Bafana Bafana, Kaizer Chiefs, UEFA Champions League club Maccabi Haifa and LaLiga’s Getafe. Where is the former swashbuckling left-back now?

Masilela was pure class

Whether he was scooping up accolades and silverware with Kaizer Chiefs or lining up for Maccabi Haifa in the Champions League, Tsepo Masilela was one of the most underrated left-backs around. Equally adept at defending his box or bombing forward into the final third, he was ahead of his time as a modern full-back. In 2014-15 with Chiefs, he was a pivotal piece of the puzzle, making 28 appearances in the league and supplying three assists. Let’s take a closer look at his playing career next.

Tsepo Masilela Bafana Bafana uefa champions league — TM was one of the first names on the team sheet for Bafana, earning 46 caps. Image: Sky Sports

Former Kaizer Chiefs star tasted the UEFA Champions League

It all started on the local scene at Hellenic in 2004 when Masilela moved to Richards Bay after earning his stripes in Cape Town. A switch to Thanda Royal Zulu followed before his first big break with Maccabi Haifa. Masilela made 127 appearances for the Israeli giants between 2007 and 2011. In 2009/10, he plundered an incredible 13 assists to steer them into the following season’s UEFA Champions League, where he made six appearances. The next stop on his journey was with Spanish LaLiga side Getafe where Masilela became a key figure despite only signing for the capital club on a season-long loan.

Back in South Africa

Tsepo returned home in 2012, just in time to be an integral member of title-winning Kaizer Chiefs teams in 2013 and 2015. After six years with Amakhosi, Masilela rounded out his playing days between 2019 and 2022 with AmaZulu. He has 46 caps to his name for Bafana Bafana.

World Cup 2010

Masilela featured in all three of Bafana’s group games at the historic 2010 World Cup hosted on home soil. He was a half-time substitute for Lucas Thwala in the 1-1 draw with Mexico and started the two subsequent games against France and Uruguay.

kaizer chiefs siphiwe tshabalala world cup — Siphiwe Tshabalala with an iconic World Cup moment that none of us will forget. PHOTO / CHRISTOPHE SIMON (Photo by CHRISTOPHE SIMON / AFP)

Where is Tsepo Masilela now?

Speaking to Robert Marawa in April 2023 and reflecting on his career, he said:

“I’m blessed and I thank God. I played in AFCON, the World Cup, Confed, the CAF Champions League and the UEFA Champions League. I’m happy with the career I had. Blessed.”

In case you didn’t know, he’s the older brother of Orlando Pirates captain Innocent Maela. Left-back talent is a family thing. According to reports, Masilela is now involved in the mining industry and mentioned in his chat with Mr Marawa that he’s taking his UEFA C coaching badges. He officially called time on his career in this interview, and what a career it’s been.