Siphesihle Ndlovu

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Siphesihle Ndlovu

| fullname =

| image =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1996|9|30}}{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/siphesihle-ndlovu/449155/|title=S. Ndlovu|website=Soccerway|accessdate=21 March 2018}}

| birth_place = Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

| height = 1.62 m

| position = Midfielder

| currentclub = SuperSport United

| clubnumber = 8

| youthyears1 =

| youthyears2 =

| youthclubs1 = Umgungundlovu Academy of Sport

| youthclubs2 = Maritzburg United

| years1 = 2016–2019

| clubs1 = Maritzburg United

| caps1 = 72

| goals1 = 6

| years2 = 2019–2022

| clubs2 = Orlando Pirates

| caps2 = 41

| goals2 = 2

| years3 = 2022–

| clubs3 = SuperSport United

| caps3 = 43

| goals3 = 1

| nationalyears1 = 2018

| nationalteam1 = South Africa

| nationalcaps1 = 5

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| club-update = 1 August 2024

| nationalteam-update = 7 October 2022

}}

Siphesihle Ndlovu (born 30 September 1996) is a South African professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Premier Soccer League side SuperSport United and the South Africa national team. An academy graduate of Maritzburg United, he made his professional debut in 2016 and went on to make over 80 appearances for the club. During the 2017–18 season, he helped the club to record-high fourth-place finish in the league and was rewarded for his form with the Young Player of the Season award. At the end of the following season, he joined Orlando Pirates. He is a fan favorite in Pietermaritzburg and his nickname is Mbesuma.

Ndlovu is also a full international since March 2018 and has represented South Africa at a COSAFA Cup.

Club career

=Maritzburg United=

Having previously been a ball-boy for the club, Ndlovu joined the youth academy of Maritzburg United from the now defunct Umgungundlovu Academy of Sport in Pietermaritzburg.{{cite web|url=https://www.iol.co.za/sport/soccer/psl/from-ball-boy-to-golden-boy-maritzburg-uniteds-ndlovu-an-inspiration-to-his-city-13126787|title=From ball-boy to golden boy: Maritzburg United's Ndlovu an inspiration to his city|publisher=Independent Online|last=Ngidi|first=Njabulo|date=6 February 2018|accessdate=21 March 2018}}{{cite web|url= http://www.kickoff.com/news/83678/maritzburg-united-midfielder-siphesihle-|title=Maritzburg United midfielder Siphesihle Ndlovu backed to win PSL Footballer Of the Year|publisher=Kick Off|last=Madlala|first=Robin-Duke|date=24 February 2018|accessdate=21 March 2018}} He excelled during his time in the club's academy where he played in the SAB League and earned the nickname Mbesuma, in reference to former PSL top goalscorer, Collins Mbesuma.{{cite news|url=https://www.iol.co.za/sport/soccer/psl/maritzburg-united-wonderkid-siphesihle-ndlovu-living-out-his-dreams-15268483|title=Maritzburg United wonderkid Siphesihle Ndlovu living out his dreams|publisher=Independent Online|date=1 June 2018|accessdate=6 June 2018}} In 2016, he was promoted to senior side by coach Roger De Sa alongside Mlondi Dlamini and Tso Motjatji.{{cite web|url=https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/sport/soccer/2016-07-12-maritzburg-united-unveil-13-new-players-ahead-of-new-psl-season/|title=Maritzburg United unveil 13 new players ahead of new PSL season|publisher=The Sowetan|last=Said|first=Nick|date=12 July 2016|accessdate=21 March 2018}} He made his debut for the club on 22 October 2016 when he came on as a substitute for Denis Weidlich in a penalty shootout loss to Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2016/10/22/south-africa/league-cup/kaizer-chiefs/maritzburg-united/2363547/|title=Kaizer Chiefs v Maritzburg Utd 0-0|website=Soccerway|date=22 October 2016|accessdate=21 March 2018}} His league debut followed on 20 December in a 1–1 draw with Bidvest Wits and he went on to make 18 appearances across all competitions for the season.

Ndlovu enjoyed a stellar campaign under Fadlu Davids during the 2017–18 season in which he helped the club to an historic league finish.{{cite news|url=http://www.kickoff.com/news/87801/siphesihle-ndlovu-aware-expectations-rai|title=Siphesihle Ndlovu is aware the expectations have been raised at Maritzburg United|publisher=Kick Off|date=21 July 2018|accessdate=11 August 2018}} In January 2018, he became the first-ever player from Maritzburg United to win the Absa Premiership Player of the Month award and two months later was rewarded with a new long-term contract with the club, ending speculation linking him with a transfer away.{{cite web|url=http://www.kickoff.com/news/83515/siphesihle-ndlovu-honoured-make-maritzbu|title=Siphesihle Ndlovu honoured to make Maritzburg United history|publisher=Kick Off|date=19 February 2018|accessdate=21 March 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/local/categories/south-africa/siphesihle-ndlovu-has-signed-a-new-contract-with-maritzburg-united/293183|title=Hands Off, Chiefs & Co! - Maritzburg Starlet Pens New Deal|publisher=Soccer Laduma|date=11 April 2018|accessdate=17 April 2018}} He then made his 50th appearance for the club on 25 April when he started in a 2–2 draw with Mamelodi Sundowns.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/FenomenoZA/status/989183004521193477|title= Congratulations to 21-year old BafanaBafana midfielder Siphesihle Ndlvou who makes his 50th career club appearance for Maritzburg United this evening|publisher=FenomenoZA|website=Twitter|date=25 April 2018|accessdate=26 April 2018}} The following month, he featured in the Nedbank Cup final where Maritzburg United were defeated 1–0 by Free State Stars.{{cite news|url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/2018-05-19-free-state-stars-crowned-nedbank-cup-kings-after-win-over-maritzburg/|title=Free State Stars crowned Nedbank Cup kings after win over Maritzburg|publisher=Times Live|last=Strydom|first=Marc|date=19 May 2018|accessdate=20 May 2018}} The season culminated with Maritzburg United ending fourth in the league; their highest ever finish with their highest ever points tally.{{cite news|url=https://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/local/categories/siyagobhoza/maritzburg-united-have-decided-against-signing-a-couple-of-players/299449|title=Transfer Update As Maritzburg Gear Up|publisher=Soccer Laduma|date=5 August 2018|accessdate=11 August 2018}} On 21 May, following a campaign in which he played in all but three matches, scored five goals and was the most fouled player in the league, Ndlovu was nominated for a host of PSL awards including the awards for Midfielder of the Season, Young Player of the Season and Footballer of the Season. He was also nominated for the Most Promising Player award for his performances in the Nedbank Cup.{{cite news|url=http://www.kickoff.com/news/86315/analysing-psl-midfielder-season-nominees|title=Analysing PSL Midfielder of the Season nominees Hlompho Kekana, Siphesihle Ndlovu and Musa Nyatama|publisher=Kick Off|date=24 May 2018|accessdate=24 May 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/local/categories/south-africa/the-nominees-for-this-year-s-psl-awards-have-been-announced/295289|title=PSL Reveal Absa Premiership Award Nominees!|publisher=Soccer Laduma|date=21 May 2018|accessdate=21 May 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/local/categories/south-africa/psl-announce-mtn8-telkom-and-nedbank-cup-nominees/295280|title=PSL Announce MTN8, Telkom And Nedbank Cup Nominees|publisher=Soccer Laduma|date=21 May 2018|accessdate=21 May 2018}} The award ceremony was held eight days later during which he walked away with the Midfielder of the Season and Young Player of the Season awards.{{cite news|url=https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/sport/soccer/2018-05-29-sundowns-percy-tau-walks-away-with-top-honours-at-glittering-psl-awards/|title=Sundowns' Percy Tau walks away with top honours at glittering PSL awards|publisher=Sowetan Live|last=Ntloko|first=Mninawa|date=29 May 2018|accessdate=29 May 2018}}

Ahead of the following season, Ndlovu reportedly agreed to a deal in principle to sign with Mamelodi Sundowns at the end of the campaign.{{cite news|url= https://www.thesouthafrican.com/sport/soccer/psl-south-africa/orlando-pirates-transfer-news-siphesihle-ndlovu-signs/|title=Orlando Pirates news: Siphesihle Ndlovu confirms Bucs move|publisher=The South African|last=Breakfast|first=Siviwe|date=12 June 2019|accessdate=14 June 2019}} He struggled for form during the first half of the season and picked up his first professional red card when he received a direct dismissal for a studs-up challenge on Kaizer Chiefs defender Siyabonga Ngezana in August.{{cite news|url=http://www.kickoff.com/news/88490/absa-premiership-match-report-maritzburg|title=Absa Premiership match report Maritzburg United v Kaizer Chiefs 17 August 2018|publisher=Kick Off|date=17 August 2018|accessdate=19 August 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/2019-01-18-siphesihle-ndlovu-needs-changes-after-his-plane-crash-says-ertugral/|title=Siphesihle Ndlovu needs changes after his 'plane crash' says Ertugral|last=Gleeson|first=Mark|publisher=Times Live|date=18 January 2019|accessdate=3 February 2019}} His struggles coincided with those of the Maritzburg United's who ended the domestic season second last in the league standings, having gone through three managers. As a result, the club was forced to take part in the promotion play-offs in which Ndlovu scored once to ensure they maintained their top-flight status.{{cite news|url= https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/maritzburg-united-retain-premiership-status-after-beating-royal-eagles-in-play-offs/|title=Maritzburg United retain premiership status after beating Royal Eagles in play-offs|publisher=TimesLIVE|last=Hadebe|first=Sazi|accessdate=14 June 2019|date=29 May 2019}}

=Orlando Pirates=

On 12 June 2019, Ndlovu confirmed that he had signed a three-year deal with Orlando Pirates. Upon making the announcement, he informed media that he had never signed any agreement with Sundowns and that his reason for joining Pirates was that the club's style of play suited his abilities.{{cite news|url=https://www.kickoff.com/news/articles/south-africa-news/categories/news/premiership/why-siphesihle-ndlovu-chose-orlando-pirates-over-mamelodi-sundowns/656930|title=Why Ndlovu chose Bucs over Downs|publisher=Kick Off|last=Mlotha|first=Sipho|date=12 June 2019|accessdate=14 June 2019}}

International career

=South Africa=

In March 2018, Ndlovu was called up to the South African national team for the first time by coach Stuart Baxter for the inaugural Four Nations Invitational Tournament.{{cite web|url=https://citizen.co.za/phakaaathi/south-africa-soccer-phakaaathi-phakaaathi/1855349/ndlovu-delighted-with-bafana-call-up/|title=Ndlovu delighted with Bafana call-up|publisher=The Citizen|last=Gumbi|first=Sibongiseni|date=14 March 2018|accessdate=21 March 2018}} He made his debut on 21 March, coming on as a second-half substitute for Maphosa Modiba in a 1–1 (7–6) penalty shootout win over Angola.{{cite web|url=http://www.kickoff.com/news/84469/four-nations-match-report-bafana-bafana-|title=Four nations match report Bafana Bafana v Angola 21 March 2018|publisher=Kick Off|date=21 March 2018|accessdate=21 March 2018}} He made his first start three days later as South Africa beat hosts Zambia 2–0 to claim the title.{{cite web|url=http://www.kickoff.com/news/84547/four-nations-match-report-bafana-bafana-|title=Four nations match report Bafana Bafana v Zambia 24 March 2018|publisher=Kick Off|date=24 March 2018|accessdate=25 March 2018}}

Later that year he was named in Baxter's squad for the 2018 COSAFA Cup. He started in South Africa's opening match in the competition, a penalty shootout loss to Madagascar.{{cite news|url=https://www.sport24.co.za/Soccer/BafanaBafana/baxter-names-bafana-cosafa-cup-squad-20180522|title=Baxter names Bafana COSAFA Cup squad|publisher=Sport 24|date=22 May 2018|accessdate=3 June 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/2018-06-03-bafana-crash-out-of-cosafa-cup-after-defeat-to-madagascar/|title=Bafana crash out of Cosafa Cup after defeat to Madagascar|publisher=Times Live|last=Strydom|first=Marc|date=3 June 2018|accessdate=3 June 2018}} He featured throughout the tournament as South Africa went on to lift the Plate title, equivalent of a fifth-placed finish.{{cite news|url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/2018-06-08-bafana-beat-botswana-to-lift-plate-in-cosafa-cup/|title=Bafana beat Botswana to lift Plate in Cosafa Cup|publisher=Times Live|last=Strydom|first=Marc|date=8 June 2018|accessdate=9 June 2018}}

Career statistics

=Club=

rowspan=2 style="width: 100pt;"\|Club !rowspan=2\|Season !colspan=3\|League !colspan="2"\| Cup¹ !colspan="2"\| League Cup² !colspan="2"\| Continental³ !colspan=2\|Other⁴ !colspan=2\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
rowspan="3"\|Maritzburg United \|2016–17 \|PSL \|16	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	18	0
2017–18 \|PSL \|27	5	4	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	34	5
2018–19 \|PSL \|25	0	0	0	2	1	0	0	5	1	32	2
colspan="3"\|Total !68	5	5	0	3	1	0	0	8	1	84	7
rowspan="1"\|Orlando Pirates \|2019–20 \|PSL \|13	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	15	0
colspan="3"\|Career total !81	5	6	0	4	1	0	0	8	1	99	7

¹ Includes Nedbank Cup matches.

² Includes Telkom Knockout matches.

⁴ Includes MTN 8 and PSL promotion play-off matches.

=International=

{{updated|8 June 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/70674/Siphesihle_Ndlovu.html|title=Ndlovu, Siphesihle|website=National Football Teams|accessdate=30 April 2018}}