Soweto Panthers
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox basketball club
| name = Soweto Panthers
| color1 = white
| color2 = blue
| color3 =gold
| logo = Soweto Panthers.jpg
| nickname =
| league = Basketball National League
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| founded = 1986
| dissolved =
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| chairman =
| president = Dr. A.S. Mokoena
| vice-presidents =
| coach = (Men)
| championships = 2018
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|coaches=Nosipho Njokweni (women), Taurai Oscar Takarupiwa (Men)}}
Soweto Panthers is a South African basketball club based in Soweto in Johannesburg. The team plays in the Basketball National League (BNL) and WBNL.{{cite web |title=Panthers – Basketball National League |url=https://bnlsa.com/panthers/ |publisher=BNL SA |access-date=27 October 2021}} The team was founded in 1986, the Men's won the BNL championship in 2018. The Women's team was formed in 2020 leading to the launch of the WBNL in 2021
The Soweto Panthers Men joined the BNL in 2011, the Ladies joined in 2020.{{Cite web |title=The Basketball National League Launch A Semi-Professional League For Women – Basketball National League |url=https://bnlsa.com/2021/10/05/the-basketball-national-league-launch-a-semi-professional-league-for-women/ |access-date=2022-08-20 |language=en-GB}}
Honors
In October 2018, the Panthers beat Egoli Magic 84–58 to captured the championship.[https://bedfordviewedenvalenews.co.za/347737/bedfordview-residents-lead-soweto-panthers-to-basketball-championship Bedfordview residents lead Soweto Panthers to basketball championship] bedfordviewedenvalenews.co.za, 18 December 2018, accessed 21 December 2021.
The Panthers were led by
Head coach: Steven Butler
General manager: Elvis Ukpong
Fitness and Conditioning Coach: Gcina Panyana {{Cite web| title=The Panthers' Journey to the BNL Championship | url=https://bnlsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/BNL-Newsletter-Vol-7.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801034108/https://bnlsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/BNL-Newsletter-Vol-7.pdf | archive-date=2023-08-01}}
League achievements
Champions - 2018
Finalist - 2019
Semifinals - 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2021
Regular Season Champion - 2016, 2019 {{Cite web |last=Eurobasket |title=Soweto Panthers basketball, News, Roster, Rumors, Stats, Awards, Transactions, Details-afrobasket |url=https://www.eurobasket.com/index.aspx |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=Eurobasket LLC}}
Club members
= Coaches =
Nosipho Njokweni - women
Taurai Takarupiwe - men
= Players 2021 =
| class="wikitable"
|+Women's Team !No. !Name !Surname |
| 21
|Divine |Muland |
| 23
|Gcina |Panyana |
| 15
|Ikageng |Aphane |
| 13
|Londeka |Gumede |
| 12
|Yibanathi |Mfazi |
| 11
|Nyaleti |Nyathi |
| 9
|Mapule |Mwale |
| 8
|Masego |Mothoa |
| 7
|Tracy |Hadebe |
| 6
|Monalisa |Maphumulo |
| 5
|Thando |Mbuthuma |
| 4
|Kamohelo |Raphoto |
| class="wikitable"
|+Men's Team !No. !Name !Surname |
| 23
|Amukelani |Golele |
| 21
|Gleen |Bidza |
| 15
|Sphiwe |Kubheka |
| 13
|Christian |Kabasele |
| 12
|Siphesihle |Hlongwane |
| 11
|Thandokuhle |Kunene |
| 9
|Mane |Mthiyani |
| 8
|Yves |Mulwisa |
| 7
|Tshepo |Mogotsi |
| 6
|Kabelo |Kubayi |
| 5
|Thabiso |Kenkana |
| 4
|Thabo |Kekana |
Notable players
{{Main category|Soweto Panthers players}}
- Set a club record or won an individual award as a professional player.
- Played at least one official international match for his senior national team at any time.
- {{Flagicon|RSA}} Thabo Letsebe
- {{flagicon|RSA}} Neo Mothiba
- {{flagicon|RSA}} Lehlogonolo Tholo
- {{Flagicon|ZIM}} Tatenda Maturure
- {{flagicon|RSA}} Lebohang Mofokeng{{Cite web |title=African Basketball News, Scores, Stats, Analysis, Standings |url=https://www.afrobasket.com/South-Africa/news/595827/Lebohang-Mofokeng-claims---League-1-weekly-honour?POW=RSA1 |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=www.afrobasket.com}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Basketball National League}}
{{Greater Johannesburg|sports}}
Category:Basketball teams established in 1986
Category:Basketball teams in South Africa
Category:1986 establishments in South Africa
{{SouthAfrica-sport-stub}}
{{Africa-basketball-team-stub}}