Mpho Mvelase
South African soccer player
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Mpho Mvelase (born 6 February 1989) is a South African soccer player who plays as a defender and midfielder for TS Galaxy in the South African Premier Division.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 6 February 1989 | ||
| Position(s) | |||
| Team information | |||
Current team | TS Galaxy | ||
| Number | 2 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2012–2014 | United FC | 55 | (3) |
| 2014–2015 | Chippa United | 10 | (2) |
| 2015–2017 | Orlando Pirates | 2 | (0) |
| 2017–2018 | Chippa United | 19 | (0) |
| 2018 | Royal Eagles | 6 | (0) |
| 2018–2021 | Polokwane City | 61 | (5) |
| 2021–2023 | Marumo Gallants | 28 | (1) |
| 2023– | TS Galaxy | 28 | (2) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 16 August 2024 | |||
He was born in Dobsonville.[1] Following two years in the National First Division with United FC, he joined Chippa United in 2014 and made his first-tier debut in the 2014-15 South African Premier Division.[2] Already during that season, in January 2015, after only ten games (nine start) he was picked up by one of South Africa's big three teams, Orlando Pirates.[3]
He played once in 2015, and only twice in the 2015–16 season—one in the league and one in the Telkom Knockout. It was speculated whether Mvelase would be loaned out.[1][4] Media noticed that the players signed by Orlando Pirates from Chippa United usually received a similar treatment.[5]
He stayed with Orlando Pirates until February 2017, when he finally left. He rejoined Chippa United as a free agent, initially on a six-month contract.[6] After ending the 2017–18 season with the First Division team Royal Eagles, he moved on to another Premier Division team Polokwane City in the fall of 2018.[7][8]
During two years in Marumo Gallants, Mvelase played and scored in the 2022–23 CAF Confederation Cup group stage.[9][10] With Mvelase being named the team's defender of the year in 2022–23, Marumo Gallants were relegated that season,[11] and Mvelase moved on to TS Galaxy. Here, he joined several other players in their late 30s, himself turning 35 at the end of the season. Nonetheless, Mvelase was a team regular and felt that his performances disproved ageism within soccer.[12][13][14]