Papi Zothwane

Papi Zothwane (born 17 August 1981 in Bophelong, Gauteng) is a South African former soccer player who played as a midfielder. He is currently manager of Uthongathi.

Papi Zothwane
Personal information
Full name Papi Joel Zothwane
Date of birth (1981-08-17) 17 August 1981
Place of birth Bophelong, South Africa
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)[1]
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2003 Maritzburg City 21 (3)
2003–2009 Lamontville Golden Arrows 113 (13)
2009–2012 Mamelodi Sundowns 29 (8)
2012 → Bloemfontein Celtic (loan) 6 (0)
Total 169 (24)
International career
2006–2008 South Africa 8 (0)
Managerial career
2021–2022 Uthongathi[2]
2022 Polokwane City
2022– Uthongathi
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Personal

Zothwane hails from Bophelong, a township near Vanderbijlpark.[1] His younger brother Nhlanhla Zothwane is also a professional footballer.[3]

Club career

Zothwane played for Golden Arrows between 2003 and 2009 having been signed from Maritzburg City. In his first full season with the club, he was voted PSL Club Rookie of the Year.

He was almost signed by Kaizer Chiefs in 2006 but a contractual dispute ended in him staying with Arrows.

He has been admired for his accurate passing, his pace and his eye for goal. The lanky attacking or central midfielder has been impressive over the last seasons despite being constantly rocked by injuries.

Since the end of the 2007–08 season Zothwane had been liked with big money moves to Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. After much speculation surrounding his future after the 2008/2009 season, he signed for Mamelodi Sundowns in July 2009 on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[4]

He joined Bloemfontein Celtic on loan in January 2012.[5] He was released by Mamelodi Sundowns at the end of the season.[6]

International career

Having made his international debut in 2006, he was capped eight times by South Africa.[1]

Coaching career

After holding a coaching role at Sobantu Shooting Stars, He returned to Lamontville Golden Arrows at the beginning of the 2016–17 season as coach of their reserve side.[7][8]

In September 2020, he joined Uthongathi as assistant manager.[9]

References
  1. "Papi Zothwane". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  2. Papi Zothwane at Soccerway
  3. "Arrows keep it in the family". iol.co.za. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  4. Peters, Carl (30 July 2009). "'We'll manage without Zothwane,' say Arrows". Daily News. Retrieved 24 October 2020 – via pressreader.com.
  5. Khoza, Neville (24 January 2012). "Papi off to Celtic". The Citizen. Retrieved 24 October 2020 – via pressreader.com.
  6. "All completed PSL transfers". Kick Off. 23 July 2012. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  7. "Papi Zothwane returns to Golden Arrows". Kick Off. 16 June 2016. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  8. Sekgaphane, Thembinkosi (21 November 2017). "Zothwane is delighted to give back what the game gave him". The Citizen. Retrieved 24 October 2020 – via pressreader.com.
  9. "Papi Zothwane appointed Uthongathi FC assistant coach". Kick Off. 22 September 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
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