No doubt former Orlando Pirates midfielder Thandani ‘Bibo’ Ntshumayelo had a colourful stint with the Soweto giants up until his four-year ban that took a toll on his career.
FORMER ORLANDO PIRATES STAR THANDANI NTSHUMAYELO’S CAREER
He started his youth career with Black Swallows. However, he later switched the floor to SuperSport United in 2005.
In 2009, Thandani Ntshumayelo joined the SuperSport United senior team. After two seasons, the midfielder joined Orlando Pirates in 2012.
He was part of the star-studded squad of Orlando Pirates that had a host of stars, including Oupa Manyisa, Bennie McCarthy, Andile Jali, Happy Jele and the late Senzo Meyiwa.
At the time, he was 23 years old at the time and was reportedly earning R275 000 per month, according to Transfer Markt.
After making over 70 appearances in January 2016, Thandani Ntshumayelo tested positive for a banned substance and was handed a four-year ban from football.
Reports have it that traces of cocaine were found in his system. Against the ban, Thandani Ntshumayelo lost nearly everything he held dearly. The friends. The money. The adulation. The game.
“Honestly, I felt so alone at the time. I had lost people I thought were my friends. I even lost hope of ever playing again,” said the star during a 2018 interview.
He suffered from severe depression and almost took his life. However, on appeal, the ban was reduced to two years.
Thandani Ntshumayelo returned to football in 2019. However, it was never the same, and this was one of the reasons why he retired early.
In 2023, Thandani Ntshumayelo retired from football. During one of his interviews, the star said, “I rushed going back [to football], that’s why maybe something didn’t go well.
BIBO: ‘I WENT BACK TO SCHOOL’
However, months after his retirement, the rumour mill had it that he was totally unrecognisable, leaving many trying to connect the dots about his whereabouts and what he has been up to.
Little is known about his occupation. Thandani Ntshumayelo recently revealed that he is now pursuing law.
Thandani Ntshumayelo is pursuing a Higher Certificate in Law at the University of South Africa (UNISA).
Speaking to Far Post two months ago he said, “I went back to school, I’m studying again, I’m doing LLB High qualification. I’m studying Law now. I’m studying at Unisa, started this year.”
After hanging his boots, former Orlando Pirates star Thandani ‘Bibo’ Ntshumayelo returned to school and is currently studying law.
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