Thabiso Khumalo

Thabiso "Boyzzz" Khumalo (born 27 October 1980 in Soweto) is a former South African footballer. Since 2019, he has been head coach of AFC Ann Arbor's women's side in the USL W League.[1]

Thabiso Khumalo
Personal information
Full name Thabiso Khumalo
Date of birth (1980-10-27) 27 October 1980
Place of birth Soweto, South Africa
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Position(s) Right Midfielder/Forward
Youth career
0000–1997 Transnet School of Excellence
1997–???? Nelson County Assassins
????–???? Javanon
????–2001 Lexington Premier
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2002 Lindsey Wilson Blue Raiders
2003–2004 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2003 Mid-Michigan Bucks
2003–2004 Chicago Fire Premier 12 (8)
2005 Chicago Fire 0 (0)
2005 Charleston Battery 18 (0)
2006 Wilmington Hammerheads 20 (1)
2007–2008 Alexandra United 20 (8)
2008 Pittsburgh Riverhounds 20 (6)
2008 → D.C. United (loan) 7 (1)
2009–2010 D.C. United 20 (0)
2010–2011 Louisville Lightning (indoor) 1 (0)
2011–2013 Pittsburgh Riverhounds 10 (0)
2013–2015 Lansing United 8 (0)
2016–2017 AFC Ann Arbor
Managerial career
2019– AFC Ann Arbor (women)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 4 June 2011

Early life and education

As a boy, Khumalo played under Farouk Khan at the "Super Centre" at the Transnet School of Excellence, before moving to the United States at the age of 16, settling in Kentucky. Khumalo attended Bethlehem High School in Bardstown, Kentucky, played club soccer for the Nelson County Assassins, Javanon and Lexington Premier, and played college soccer for Lindsey Wilson College and Coastal Carolina University while studying for a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education. During his college years Khumalo also played in the USL Premier Development League for both Mid-Michigan Bucks and Chicago Fire Premier.

Professional career

Khumalo was drafted by Chicago Fire in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft, but never played a game in MLS, and instead spent time with Charleston Battery in the USL First Division. He joined USL Second Division side Wilmington Hammerheads in 2006, and then returned to South Africa, where he played for the Vodacom League team Alexandra United for his former coach, Farouk Khan.

Khumalo returned to the United States in 2008, playing for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the USL Second Division, where he was named to the USL-2 Team of the Year, played all 20 games, and registered six goals and three assists to finish tied for sixth in points in the league. He was also named in the Team of the Week on four occasions, and named Player of the Week once.

On 10 September 2008, Khumalo signed on loan with D.C. United.[2] He bagged his first goal for D.C. United during a 5–2 loss to Los Angeles Galaxy on 21 September 2008. Khumalo's success on loan led to United signing him on a permanent basis after the 2008 season ended. Khumalo was released by D.C. United on 27 July 2010.[3]

In November 2010, the Louisville Lightning from the Premier Arena Soccer League announced they had signed Khumalo to play in the 2010–11 season.[4]

On 14 March 2011, Khumalo signed a contract with Pittsburgh Riverhounds, now playing in the USL Pro league.[5]

On 16 November 2013, Khumalo signed with Lansing United, of the National Premier Soccer League.

Khumalo signed with AFC Ann Arbor of the National Premier Soccer League for the 2016 season as an assistant coach and player.

Personal life

Khumalo is involved with a nonprofit organisation called the Umhlaba Vision Foundation, which serves to find opportunities for youth through sport and education.

References
  1. "Boyzzz Khumalo Named Women's Head Coach" (Press release). AFC Ann Arbor. 12 September 2019. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  2. "Kick off - South Africa". Archived from the original on 12 September 2008. Retrieved 10 September 2008.
  3. Goff, Steve. "Soccer Insider – Boyzzz Khumalo released by D.C. United". Voices.washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  4. "Louisville Lightning sign Yanez, Khumalo".
  5. "Khumalo Returns to Pittsburgh". 14 March 2011.
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