Tsepo Masilela was a rock-solid performer for Bafana Bafana, Kaizer Chiefs, UEFA Champions League club Maccabi Haifa and LaLiga’s Getafe. Since it’s an international break, we may as well have a look at what the former swashbuckling left-back is doing 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.
A star at 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. He’ll surely be cheering the boys on in the Americas this year.
Former Kaizer Chiefs man was at home in the 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.
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 former 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 was taking his UEFA C coaching badges.
Remaining Kaizer Chiefs fixtures this season
- Tue, 7 Apr: Orbit College vs Chiefs
- Sun, 12 Apr: Chiefs vs TS Galaxy
- Wed, 15 Apr: Magesi vs Chiefs
- Sat, 18 Apr: Polokwane vs Chiefs
- Sat, 25 Apr: Pirates vs Chiefs
- Tue, 28 Apr: Siwelele vs Chiefs
- Wed, 6 May: Sundowns vs Chiefs
- Sun, 10 May: Sekhukhune vs Chiefs
- Sat, 16 May: AmaZulu vs Chiefs
- Sat, 23 May: Chiefs vs Chippa
