Lwandile Mabuya puts Pirates, Chiefs, Sundowns on notice
Richards Bay FC defender Lwandile Mabuya has sent a clear message to South Africa’s football giants—Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns—as he eyes the next major chapter of his career after reaching a remarkable milestone with the Natal Rich Boys.
A Dream Realised at Richards Bay
Mabuya joined Richards Bay in the 2020/21 season after shining in the Gauteng Development Promotional League with champions Remember Elite Sports Academy (RESA).
Reaching 100 professional matches is a milestone he describes as the fulfilment of a lifelong dream.
“To me, it was a dream come true,” he told FARPost. “Seeing senior players achieve such things made me hungry for games so that one day I could be like them.”
He spent his first two seasons in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, before helping the club secure historic promotion to the Betway Premiership for the 2022/23 season—his standout career moment so far.
Rise Under Kaitano Tembo
Mabuya’s first taste of top-flight football came with limited opportunities—just eight appearances across two seasons. But everything changed with the arrival of coach Kaitano Tembo, who entrusted him with greater responsibility.
Under Tembo, the right-back blossomed.
The 2023/24 campaign saw him feature 27 times, establishing himself as a key figure in the squad.
He credits this transformation to relentless improvement:
“In my earlier days, I used to lack in many aspects of the game, but as time went by, I had to work very hard on those aspects,” he said.
He also singled out teammates Tshepo Mabua and Simphiwe Mcineka for their influence during his development.
Mabuya’s Bold Ambitions
Now firmly established and armed with 100 games under his belt, Mabuya is ready for the next leap.
The Richards Bay stalwart openly declared his desire to move to one of South Africa’s “Big Three” or even abroad:
“Achieving with the team and seeing myself playing abroad or for one of the big three teams in South Africa would be my biggest career goals,” he said. “I’m also aiming for 400 PSL caps.”
With growing maturity, consistent performances, and a clear hunger for more, Mabuya has placed Pirates, Chiefs, and Sundowns on alert. Whether the next chapter unfolds in South Africa or overseas, the Richards Bay star has made his intentions unmistakably clear.