Soweto Panthers is a South African basketball club based in Soweto in Johannesburg. The team plays in the Basketball National League (BNL) and WBNL.[1] 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

Soweto Panthers
Soweto Panthers logo
LeagueBasketball National League
Founded1986
PresidentDr. A.S. Mokoena
Head coachesNosipho Njokweni (women), Taurai Oscar Takarupiwa (Men)
Championships2018

The Soweto Panthers Men joined the BNL in 2011, the Ladies joined in 2020.[2]

Honors

edit

In October 2018, the Panthers beat Egoli Magic 84–58 to captured the championship.[3]

The Panthers were led by

Head coach: Steven Butler

General manager: Elvis Ukpong

Fitness and Conditioning Coach: Gcina Panyana [3][4]

League achievements

edit

Champions - 2018

Finalist - 2019

Semifinals - 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2021

Regular Season Champion - 2016, 2019 [5]

Club members

edit

Coaches

edit

Nosipho Njokweni - women

Taurai Takarupiwe - men

Players 2021

edit
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

[5]

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

[6]

Notable players

edit

- 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.

References

edit
  1. ^ "Panthers – Basketball National League". BNL SA. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  2. ^ "The Basketball National League Launch A Semi-Professional League For Women – Basketball National League". Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  3. ^ a b Bedfordview residents lead Soweto Panthers to basketball championship bedfordviewedenvalenews.co.za, 18 December 2018, accessed 21 December 2021.
  4. ^ https://bnlsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/BNL-Newsletter-Vol-7.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  5. ^ a b Eurobasket. "Soweto Panthers basketball, News, Roster, Rumors, Stats, Awards, Transactions, Details-afrobasket". Eurobasket LLC. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  6. ^ "AfroBasket". www.afrobasket.com. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  7. ^ "African Basketball News, Scores, Stats, Analysis, Standings". www.afrobasket.com. Retrieved 20 August 2022.