Mbulelo Mabizela

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Mbulelo Mabizela

| image =

| fullname = Mbulelo Oldjohn Mabizela

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1980|9|16|df=y}}

| birth_place = Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

| height = 1.78 m

| currentclub =

| position = Centre-back, right-back, defensive midfielder

| youthyears1 = |youthclubs1 = Edendale All Stars

| youthyears2 = |youthclubs2 = Mamelodi Sundowns

| youthyears3 = |youthclubs3 = Ashdown Young Buccaneers

| years1 = 2000–2001 |clubs1 = Maritzburg City |caps1 = 37 |goals1 = 6

| years2 = 2001–2003 |clubs2 = Orlando Pirates |caps2 = 51 |goals2 = 4

| years3 = 2003–2005 |clubs3 = Tottenham Hotspur |caps3 = 7 |goals3 = 1

| years4 = 2005–2006 |clubs4 = Vålerenga |caps4 = 6 |goals4 = 0

| years5 = 2006–2008 |clubs5 = Mamelodi Sundowns |caps5 = 16 |goals5 = 0

| years6 = 2009–2011 |clubs6 = Platinum Stars |caps6 = 34 |goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2011–2012 |clubs7 = Bidvest Wits |caps7 = 28 |goals7 = 2

| years8 = 2013 |clubs8 = Chippa United |caps8 = 10 |goals8 = 1

| years9 = 2013–2014 |clubs9 = Mpumalanga Black Aces |caps9 = 14 |goals9 = 1

| years10 = 2015 |clubs10= AmaZulu |caps10= 12 |goals10= 4

| years11 = 2015–2016 |clubs11= Royal Eagles |caps11= |goals11=

| nationalyears1 = 2001–2008 |nationalteam1 = South Africa | nationalcaps1 = 45 |nationalgoals1 = 2

}}

Mbulelo Oldjohn Mabizela (born 16 September 1980) is a South African former professional footballer who played as a defender and sometimes as a midfielder.

Club career

=Early professional career=

Mabizela was born in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. He started his career using his mother's surname Oldjohn, but later preferred to be known as Mabizela, the surname of his father, Dumisani, who also played soccer for AmaZulu.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/3135909.stm |title=Mabizela earns his Spurs |work=BBC Sport |first=Mark |last=Gleeson |location=Cape Town |date=8 August 2003 |accessdate=3 December 2021}} As the youngest player to captain the South Africa national team, his surname Oldjohn was often referred as a nickname.{{Cite news|url=http://www.footballfancast.com/football-blogs/where-wrong-mbulelo-mabizela|title="Where did it all go wrong?" - Mbulelo Mabizela {{!}} FootballFanCast.com|date=25 March 2010|work=FootballFanCast.com|access-date=1 June 2018|language=en}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.sport24.co.za/Soccer/PSL/Old-John-dismissed-by-Aces-20141212|title='Old John' dismissed by Aces|work=Sport|access-date=1 June 2018|language=en}}

Mabizela began his senior club career with Maritzburg City in the National First Division,{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesz/zaf02.html |title=South Africa 2001/02 |accessdate=19 April 2010 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100205083201/http://rsssf.com/tablesz/zaf02.html |archivedate=5 February 2010 }} later joining Orlando Pirates.

=Europe=

In August 2003 Mabizela joined Tottenham Hotspur after inspiring Pirates to a 2–1 win over Tottenham when the London club made a short tour of South Africa before the start of the 2003–04 season. He scored his only goal for the club on his debut after coming on as a substitute in a league match against Leicester City in October 2003.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3191438.stm |title=Spurs shock Leicester |publisher=BBC |date=19 October 2003 |accessdate=2 September 2009}} In October 2004, he had his contract cancelled by Tottenham Hotspur and was released by mutual agreement following several disciplinary infractions, including missing training sessions. He made only nine appearances in total for the club, scoring one goal.{{Cite news|url=http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2015/02/07/tottenham-flop-mbulelo-mabizela-joins-south-african-basement-clu/|title=Tottenham flop Mbulelo Mabizela joins South African basement club ten years after Spurs release|last=Nash|first=Mathew|work=Here Is The City|access-date=1 June 2018|language=en}}

Mabizela was invited to train with London-based club Fulham after his release, but was rejected by the club supposedly after being considered overweight.{{Cite news|url=http://www.iol.co.za/sport/overweight-mabizela-rejected-by-fulham-1.539591?ot=inmsa.ArticlePrintPageLayout.ot|title='Overweight' Mabizela rejected by Fulham {{!}} Cape Argus|access-date=1 June 2018|language=en}} He joined Norwegian club Vålerenga in March 2005, six months after being without club{{Cite news|url=http://mg.co.za/article/2005-03-08-mabizela-goes-to-norway|title=Mabizela goes to Norway|author=Staff Reporter|work=The M&G Online|access-date=1 June 2018|language=en}} and spent a season at the Norwegian club where he played infrequently and won the national title.{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/4775541.stm|title=Mabizela signs for Sundowns|date=9 August 2006|access-date=1 June 2018|language=en-GB}}

=Return to South Africa=

In August 2006 Mabizela came back to South Africa and signed for Mamelodi Sundowns. On December, he received a six-month ban from the game for drug offences.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/6182297.stm |title=Mabizela banned for six months |work=BBC Sport |date=15 December 2006 |accessdate=3 December 2021 }} Following a number of disciplinary problems including a car accident and arrest for drunken driving in late 2008,{{Cite news|url=http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/the-mystery-of-mbulelo-mabizela/|title=The mystery of Mbulelo Mabizela {{!}} 101 Great Goals|date=2 October 2008|work=Football (soccer) greatest goals and highlights {{!}} 101 Great Goals|access-date=1 June 2018|language=en-US}} he was made available for transfer and found a new home in January 2009 when he signed a three-year contract with Platinum Stars.{{Cite news|url=http://www.iol.co.za/sport/mabizela-signs-with-platinum-stars-1.597880|title=Mabizela signs with Platinum Stars {{!}} Cape Argus|access-date=1 June 2018|language=en}} He was later acquitted of the drunk driving charges.{{Cite news|url=http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/mabizela-s-rights-were-violated-1.447284|title='Mabizela's rights were violated' {{!}} IOL News|access-date=1 June 2018|language=en}}

Mabizela had his contract terminated in July 2009 after failing to show up for training, but was given a second chance by the new coach Steve Komphela.{{cite web |url=http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/citypress/2009/07/20/CP/13/emmabizela.html |title=Archived copy |accessdate=19 January 2016 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126024947/http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/citypress/2009/07/20/CP/13/emmabizela.html |archivedate=26 January 2016}} He signed new deal in August and, during the process, he refused to play after disagreeing on a clause in his contract.{{Cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/1659/south-africa/2009/08/14/1440400/mbulelo-mabizela-completes-platinum-stars-deal|title=Mbulelo Mabizela Completes Platinum Stars Deal {{!}} Goal.com|website=www.goal.com|language=en|access-date=1 June 2018}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.supersport.com/football/article.aspx?id=311491&print=1|title = SuperSport}}

On 7 June 2010, Mabizela was voted the Platinum Stars man of the match in the Stars' 3–0 defeat to the England international team in their final warm-up game before the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Before the match he gave an interview in which he said he was looking forward to meeting Ledley King and Jermain Defoe again, two England players he played alongside at Tottenham Hotspur. Also he talked about how he is steadily overcoming his personal problems, "I had a good start at Spurs but it was too short and that's something I'll always look back on with regret", said Mabizela. "I've made a lot of mistakes in my personal life, things I'd rather not elaborate upon, and that was the reason I had to leave Spurs". "When I came back to South Africa I went for help, I got help and I'm still being helped. I wouldn't say I'm okay but I feel I'm going forward now. Platinum Stars have really helped me and at the moment I feel that I've really moved on. I am ready to move on with my career, even possibly back to Europe and I'd like to play for the Bafana Bafana international team again".{{Cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/england-world-cup-countdown-spurs-3355044|title=Spurs flop tells England: "We'll get stuck in"|last=Football|first=Mirror|date=6 June 2010|work=mirror|access-date=1 June 2018}}

In May 2011 Platinum Stars announced a major clear-out of a number of players including Mabizela, who then became a free agent. On 11 August 2011, after being linked with a number of clubs including Orlando Pirates and Golden Arrows, Mabizela signed a two-year deal for Bidvest Wits on a free transfer and was given the squad number 3.{{Cite news|url=http://www.sport24.co.za/Soccer/PSL/Wits-sign-Mabizela-20110811|title=Wits sign Mabizela|work=News24|access-date=1 June 2018|language=en}} In May 2012, Bidvest Wits held their end of season awards evening and Mabizela was named the club's Player of the Year at the function which was held at the Southern Sun in Monte Casino. It was reported that Mabizela had been an influential and outstanding figure at the club since joining at the beginning of that season.{{Cite news|url=http://www.kickoff.com/news/28494/bidvest-wits-defender-mbulelo-mabizela-named-the-clubs-player-of-the-year|title=Bidvest Wits defender Mbulelo Mabizela named the club's Player of the Year|last=www.realnet.co.uk|work=Kick Off|access-date=1 June 2018|language=en-gb}}

During the 2012–13 season, Mabizela became very much unsettled at the Clever Boys during the first half of the season and requested to be released from his contract after the club made the following statement to the press in December 2012. "We have advised Mbulelo Mabizela and his agent that he is not part of our plans for the remaining duration of his contract with us and that we will consider offers from other clubs for his services during the forthcoming January transfer window period." On 20 January 2013, he joined Chippa United on an 18-month contract until June 2014 and was reported to say he hoped to help save the Cape Town teams young side from relegation by the end of the season.{{Cite web|url=http://africanfootball.com/player/104/Mbulelo-Mabizela/10/Bidvest-Wits/163/ABSA-Premiership-2012-13/|title=AfricanFootball - News and Stats about|website=African Football|access-date=1 June 2018}} He was released at the end of the 2012–13 season after the team was relegated.{{cite web|title=Chippa And Mabizela Part Ways|date=2 August 2013|url=http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/article/south-africa/chippa-and-mabizela-part-ways/135955|accessdate=6 November 2013}}

In October 2013 Mabizela began training with Mpumalanga Black Aces. Despite rumours linking him to former club Orlando Pirates,{{cite web|title=Mabizela prefers Pirates return than Black Aces|url=http://www.goal.com/en-za/news/4667/sa-psl/2013/10/31/4369963/mabizela-prefers-pirates-return-than-black-aces|accessdate=6 November 2013}} He signed a deal with Black Aces till the end of the 2013–14 season.{{cite web|title='OJ' joins Aces|url=http://www.mpblackaces.co.za/index.cfm?fuse=1&action=1&story=3323|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610193353/http://www.mpblackaces.co.za/index.cfm?fuse=1&action=1&story=3323|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 June 2015|accessdate=6 November 2013}} In June 2014, the Black Aces spokesman Gordon Masondo confirmed that Mabizela's contract had been renewed until 30 June 2016.{{Cite news|url=http://lowvelder.co.za/206449/aces-put-newbies-play/|title=Aces put newbies into play {{!}} Lowvelder|date=7 July 2014|work=Lowvelder|access-date=1 June 2018|language=en-US}} However, he was frozen out of the squad in October after falling out with manager Clive Barker, including a bust-up with a veteran coach{{Cite news|url=http://www.kickoff.com/news/49582/mbulelo-oj-mabizela-falls-out-with-clive-barker-at-black-aces-|title=Mbulelo 'OJ' Mabizela falls out with Clive Barker at Black Aces|last=www.realnet.co.uk|work=Kick Off|access-date=1 June 2018|language=en-gb}} and was released in December based on the recommendations of a disciplinary enquiry following his misbehavior.{{Cite news|url=http://www.kickoff.com/news/51122/mpumalanga-black-aces-part-ways-with-mabizela|title=Mpumalanga Black Aces part ways with Mabizela|last=www.realnet.co.uk|work=Kick Off|access-date=1 June 2018|language=en-gb}}

On 26 January 2015, Mabizela signed for AmaZulu, which was at the bottom of the table, on a short-term contract.{{cite web |last1=Mailwane |first1=Tshepang |title=Mabizela saved, now by AmaZulu |url=http://www.bdlive.co.za/sport/soccer/2015/01/26/mabizela-saved-now-by-amazulu |website=bdlive.co.za |access-date=4 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160226064210/http://www.bdlive.co.za/sport/soccer/2015/01/26/mabizela-saved-now-by-amazulu |archive-date=26 February 2016 |date=26 January 2015}} The player claimed that "the relegation challenge appealed to him",{{cite web |url=http://www.sabcsport.co.za/index.php/2014-12-17-07-43-03/psl/news/558-amazulu-relegation-challenge-appealed-to-me-mabizela |title=AmaZulu relegation challenge appealed to me- Mabizela |accessdate=19 January 2016 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126023558/http://www.sabcsport.co.za/index.php/2014-12-17-07-43-03/psl/news/558-amazulu-relegation-challenge-appealed-to-me-mabizela |archivedate=26 January 2016}} but failed to avoid relegation and was subsequently released.{{cite web |url=http://citizen.co.za/804040/mabizela-set-to-join-maritzburg/ |title=Maizela set to join Maritzburg }}

=National First Division (NFD)=

Despite his negative experience with Clive Barker at Black Aces, Mabizela was requested to be signed by the former manager in October 2015, then at Maritzburg United. However, according to a former backroom employee at the club, the player would never sign for his hometown side after previous statements regarding the player, alcohol and banned substances.{{Cite news|url=http://www.sport24.co.za/Soccer/PSL/Reason-why-OJ-snubbed-Maritzburg-20151028|title=Reason why OJ snubbed Maritzburg|work=Sport|access-date=1 June 2018|language=en}} In the same month, he signed for NFD side Royal Eagles.{{Cite web|url=http://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/2015/10/23/OJ-Mabizela-joins-Royal-Eagles|title=TimesLIVE|website=www.timeslive.co.za|language=en|access-date=1 June 2018}} In March 2016 he was dismissed for misconduct by the club.{{cite web |last1=Fakude |first1=Ernest |title=Royal Eagles part ways with Mbulelo Mabizela |url=https://www.kickoff.com/news/articles/south-africa-news/categories/news/premiership/royal-eagles-part-ways-with-mbulelo-mabizela/567501 |website=Kickoff |access-date=4 August 2022 |date=24 March 2016}}

International career

Mabizela was first called to the South Africa national team by Carlos Queiroz in November 2001 after only 3 months of PSL experience as a late replacement to Nasief Morris for a friendly match against Egypt, against who he made his debut as a right-back.{{Cite news|url=http://www.iol.co.za/sport/top-egyptians-out-of-bafana-clash-1.503583?ot=inmsa.ArticlePrintPageLayout.ot|title=Top Egyptians out of Bafana clash {{!}} Cape Argus|access-date=1 June 2018|language=en}}{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesz/zaf-intres2005.html |title=South Africa - International Matches 2001-2005 |accessdate=23 September 2009 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090101022052/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesz/zaf-intres2005.html |archivedate=1 January 2009 }} He had a poor performance as a right-back during the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations and was left out of the 2002 FIFA World Cup squad coached by Jomo Sono. He was recalled in September 2002 by Ephraim Mashaba as a centre-back, earning back his place in the international squad{{Cite news|url=http://www.iol.co.za/sport/why-mabizela-is-central-to-bafanas-cause-1.526535|title=Why Mabizela is central to Bafana's cause {{!}} Cape Argus|access-date=1 June 2018|language=en}} and in June 2003 he was the youngest captain ever for the national team with the age of 22.{{Cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-za/news/4659/editorials/2016/01/13/19285232/comment-why-kaizer-chiefs-defender-lorenzo-gordinho-can|title=Comment: Why Kaizer Chiefs defender Lorenzo Gordinho can become our new Mbulelo 'Old John' Mabizela {{!}} Goal.com|website=www.goal.com|language=en|access-date=1 June 2018}}

He scored a brace against Cape Verde during the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification.

His last match for the national team was in 2008 against Nigeria during the 2010 FIFA World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualification. He was dropped from the national squad after going AWOL from the national squad in October 2008 before a match against Malawi.

Mabizela went back to the headlines in January 2010 after claiming to be "better" than other defender that were in the national side,{{Cite news|url=http://www.iol.co.za/sport/oj-not-an-option-in-bafana-set-up-1.611936|title=OJ not an option in Bafana set-up {{!}} Cape Argus|access-date=1 June 2018|language=en}} a view that was shared by commentators and fans.{{cite web |url=http://news.ghananation.com/templates/?a=15707 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=19 January 2016 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125153505/http://news.ghananation.com/templates/?a=15707 |archivedate=25 January 2016}} However, manager Carlos Alberto Parreira was unmoved by the comments and stressed that the behaviour of the players was part of the decision of the selection.{{Cite news|url=http://www.kickoff.com/news/13305/parreira-unmoved-by-oj-comments|title=Parreira unmoved by OJ comments|last=www.realnet.co.uk|work=Kick Off|access-date=1 June 2018|language=en-gb}} He later wrote a letter of apology requesting to be given another chance{{Cite web|url=http://www.supersport.com/football/article.aspx?id=344465&print=1|title = SuperSport}} but was never called to the national side again.

Coaching career

In 2018 Mabizela obtained his Safa coaching D-licence qualification and was coaching at the Local Football Association in KwaZulu-Natal.{{cite web |url=https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/soccer/local-soccer/mgosi/2020701/former-bafana-captain-goes-into-coaching/ |title=Former Bafana captain goes into coaching |work=The citizen |location=South Africa |date=10 October 2018 |accessdate=3 December 2021 }}

Career statistics

:Scores and results list South Africa's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Mabizela goal.

class="wikitable sortable" \|+ List of international goals scored by Mbulelo Mabizela
scope="col"\|No. !scope="col"\|Date !scope="col"\|Venue !scope="col"\|Opponent !scope="col"\|Score !scope="col"\|Result !scope="col"\|Competition
align="center"\|1	rowspan="2"\|2004-06-05	rowspan="2"\|Bloemfontein, South Africa	rowspan="2"\|{{fb\|Cape Verde}}	align="center"\|1–0	rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"\|2–1	rowspan="2"\|2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
align="center"\|2	align="center"\|2–0

class="wikitable sortable"

|+ List of international goals scored by Mbulelo Mabizela

scope="col"|No.

!scope="col"|Date

!scope="col"|Venue

!scope="col"|Opponent

!scope="col"|Score

!scope="col"|Result

!scope="col"|Competition

align="center"|1

rowspan="2"|2004-06-05

rowspan="2"|Bloemfontein, South Africa