Ramahlwe Mphahlele Announces Retirement After 20-Year Career in South African Football
- Ramahlwe Mphahlele announced his retirement from professional football after a 20-year senior career
- The experienced PSL defender was part of Sundowns' historic 2016 CAF Champions League-winning squad
- Mphahlele revealed he had been working with younger players at Orbit College before making his final decision
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Veteran South African defender Ramahlwe Mphahlele has officially retired from professional football, bringing an end to a career spanning two decades.
Source: Getty Images
Mphahlele announced on 13 August 2026, during an appearance on Sports Night Amplified with Andile and Andile Ncube.
"I am done playing football, I am not looking for a team. I have decided to retire after 20 years," he said.
A career defined by trophies and longevity
Across his senior career, which ran from the 2008/09 season through to 2025/26, Mphahlele remained a consistent presence in South African football, competing across multiple generations of players. He made at least 127 official appearances for Kaizer Chiefs alone, though his total career figure across all competitions remains difficult to pin down precisely due to varying records.
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His trophy cabinet reflects a career at the highest level of the domestic and continental game. He was part of Swallows' 2009 Nedbank Cup-winning side before going on to win back-to-back league titles with Mamelodi Sundowns in the 2013/14 and 2015/16 seasons.
That same 2015/16 campaign also brought him a second Nedbank Cup, along with a place in Sundowns' squad that claimed the 2016 CAF Champions League title. Later, at Kaizer Chiefs, he featured in the side that reached the 2021 CAF Champions League final. At international level, he was part of Bafana Bafana's squad at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
Mentoring the next generation
What distinguishes Mphahlele's retirement story is the manner in which his final chapter unfolded. Rather than seeking one last contract at another club, he channelled his remaining energy into developing younger talent at Orbit College, a detail he himself referenced before confirming the end of his playing days.
Social media users paid tribute to the defender after the news broke, with followers on X describing him as disciplined, calm and respectful throughout his career.
As seen in the post below.
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Source: Briefly News
