Thabiso Semenya

Thabiso Semenya
Personal information
Date of birth (1982-09-17) 17 September 1982 (age 42)
Place of birth Moletjie, Limpopo, South Africa
Position(s) Defender
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2006 Mpumalanga Highlanders
2006–2008 Barberton City Stars
2008–2011 Carara Kicks
2011–2016 Platinum Stars 60 (0)
2016–2018 Polokwane City 56 (1)
2018–2019 Baroka 17 (0)
2020 Polokwane City 4 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20:02, 5 October 2020 (UTC)

Thabiso Semenya (born 17 September 1982) is a South African soccer player who plays as a defender. He was born in Moletjie in Limpopo and has played club football for Mpumalanga Highlanders, Barberton City Stars, Carara Kicks, Platinum Stars, Polokwane City and Baroka.

Early life and career

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Semenya was born in Moletjie near Polokwane, and attended a Catholic boarding school named PAX.[1][2] He studied Geology at the University of Limpopo, but dropped out in his second year to pursue a career in football.[2][3] He played for Mpumalanga Highlanders in the third tier of South African soccer between 2004 and 2006 whilst working as for Bohlabela District Municipality, and later joined Barberton City Stars in 2006 whilst working as a miners' assistant.[2][3][4]

Semenya was spotted playing for Barberton City Stars in the Second Division play-offs, and subsequently joined National First Division side Carara Kicks in 2008.[3] He left the club in 2011 to join Platinum Stars on a three-month deal in September 2011, before his contract was extended until the end of the season.[2][4] He became a regular player for the club in his first season, appearing in 14 league matches for the club.[3][5] He signed a two-year deal with the club at the end of the season.[2] In June 2014, he extended his contract with Platinum Stars by a further year.[6] He was eventually released by the club in 2016, after five years at the club.[7]

Following his release from Platinum Stars, he joined Polokwane City in August 2016.[8] He made 56 league appearances over the next two seasons[5] before being released by the club in summer 2018.[9] He signed for Baroka in October 2018.[10] He appeared in seventeen league matches for Baroka across the 2018–19 season,[5] before leaving the club at the end of the season after the club opted not to renew his contract.[11]

In January 2020, he returned to former club Polokwane City on a contract until the end of the season.[12]

Personal life

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In August 2010, Semenya was involved in a car accident but was not seriously injured.[13]

His wife died in a car accident in Rustenburg in March 2016; he was also involved in the accident but only sustained minor injuries.[14]

Semenya remarried in April 2019, bot put his honeymoon on hold to help Baroka fight relegation.[15]

References

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  1. ^ Wa Ka Mabasa, Tiyani (25 March 2018). "On and off the field, Thabiso Semenya always puts in a good shift". The Sowetan. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e Moyo, Lovemore (1 July 2017). "EVER PRESENT". Kick Off. Retrieved 5 October 2020 – via pressreader.com.
  3. ^ a b c d Mailwane, Tshepang (6 December 2013). "Platinum Stars unearth miner gem". The Star. Retrieved 5 October 2020 – via pressreader.com.
  4. ^ a b Wa Ka Mabasa, Tiyani (5 July 2017). "Ex-miner Semenya content with his finances". The Sowetan. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  5. ^ a b c Thabiso Semenya at Soccerway. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  6. ^ Moyo, Lovemore (11 June 2014). "Platinum Stars extend Semenya stay". Kick Off. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  7. ^ Fakude, Ernest (6 June 2016). "Defender Thabiso Semenya leaves Platinum Stars". Kick Off. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  8. ^ Klate, Chad (4 August 2016). "Polokwane City complete Thabiso Semenya signing on free transfer". Kick Off. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  9. ^ Mailwane, Tshepang (27 June 2018). "Defender Thabiso Semenya talks about his Polokwane City exit". Kick Off. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  10. ^ Variava, Yusuf (10 October 2018). "Baroka sign Thabiso Semenya and Davies Nkausu". Goal. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  11. ^ "Semenya feels bitter". The Citizen. 18 June 2019. Retrieved 5 October 2020 – via pressreader.com.
  12. ^ Mlotha, Sipho (30 January 2020). "Thabiso Semenya returns to Polokwane City". Kick Off. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  13. ^ "Five Carara Kicks players hurt in crash". Kick Off. 25 August 2010. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  14. ^ "Platinum Stars' defender loses wife in car crash". The Sowetan. 10 March 2016. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  15. ^ Fakude, Ernest (23 April 2019). "Thabiso Semenya marries Potego Mothiba, puts honeymoon on hold". Kick Off. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
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