Yanela Mbuthuma (born 23 February 2002) is a South African soccer player who plays as a forward for Richards Bay in the Premier Soccer League.

Yanela Mbuthuma
Personal information
Date of birth (2002-02-23) 23 February 2002 (age 22)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
Richards Bay
Number 9
Youth career
Thohoyandou
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022– Richards Bay 24 (1)
International career
South Africa U23
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 27 July 2023

Mbuthuma joined Richards Bay from Thohoyandou in the summer of 2022.[1] He was discovered by Richards Bay at the Khabba Cup, where he was designated "player of the tournament".[2] He subsequently made his first-tier debut in the 2022-23 South African Premier Division.[3] His first goal was the winning goal against Sekhukhune United in August 2022.[4]

After the season, the Sunday Times eyed him as one of the players who should move to an overseas club to develop further.[5] Mbuthuma was named in the preliminary South Africa squad for the 2023 COSAFA Cup.[6] He also played for South Africa U23 the same year, during the 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualification.[7]

References

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  1. ^ "Richards Bay unveil 10 new signings ahead of 2022/23 DStv Premiership season". Head Topics South Africa. 1 July 2022. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  2. ^ Dladla, Nkululeko (14 June 2023). "Khabba Cup talent linked with Orlando Pirates". SABC Sport. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  3. ^ Yanela Mbuthuma at Soccerway
  4. ^ Madlala, Robin-Duke (17 August 2022). "Yanela targets more goals accreditation". Daily Sun. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  5. ^ Dindi, Sithembiso (1 July 2023). "Young players who need to play their last season in the PSL and move overseas". Sunday Times. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  6. ^ Gibbs, Herman (25 June 2023). "Bright local talent called up to Bafana COSAFA squad". DFA. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  7. ^ "Notoane names SA squad for CAF U23 Olympic Qualifiers clash against Congo". SAFA. 16 March 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.