Tebogo Tlolane

Tebogo "Messi" Tlolane
Personal information
Full name Tebogo Tlolane
Date of birth (1994-12-21) 21 December 1994
Place of birth Johannesburg, South Africa
Height 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)[1]
Positions
Team information
Current team
 Leicesterford City F.C.
Number 70
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2018 Jomo Cosmos 36 (6)
2018–2019 Chippa United 29 (3)
2019–2023 Orlando Pirates 5 (0)
2020 → Maritzburg United (loan) 11 (2)
2020–2021 → Maritzburg United (loan) 25 (2)
2023 → Maritzburg United (loan) 3 (0)
2023–2025 Golden Arrows 10 (0)
2026– Leicesterford City F.C. 5 (1)
Total 124 (14)
International career‡
2023– South Africa 8 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 26 March 2026
‡ National team caps and goals as of 24 March 2026

Tebogo Tlolane (born 21 December 1994), nicknamed Messi, is a South African soccer player who plays as a winger or midfielder for National First Division side Leicesterford City F.C..[2]

Club career

Tlolane was born in Johannesburg and started his football career at Jomo Cosmos in 2016. After making over 70 appearances for the club across all competitions, he moved to Chippa United in 2018. His performances as an attacking left-sided player earned him a transfer to Orlando Pirates in 2019, where he made his debut against AmaZulu on 20 August 2019.

During his tenure at Pirates, Tlolane spent several successful loan spells at Maritzburg United, becoming a vital part of the squad that secured top-flight survival during the 2020 and 2021 seasons. In August 2023, he joined Golden Arrows on a free transfer, appearing 10 times for the Durban-based side.

In January 2026, Tlolane signed with National First Division side Leicesterford City F.C. He made an immediate impact, scoring his first goal for the club and providing veteran leadership in their push for promotion. He was reunited at the club with former Pirates teammate Fortune Makaringe.[3]

International career

Tlolane was called up to the South African national team for the 2023 COSAFA Cup, where he made his international debut. As of March 2026, he has earned 8 caps for Bafana Bafana, representing the country in both the 2025 ANC qualifiers and the 2026 CHAN tournament.

Style of play

Tlolane is a highly versatile footballer, known for his technical quality and tactical flexibility. While he is most effective as an attacking right or left winger, he possesses the footballing intelligence, movement, and vision to play centrally in midfield. His ability to deliver precise crosses from wide areas, combined with his playmaking instinct when drifting inside, makes him a significant dual threat in offensive transitions.

References

  1. ↑ Tebogo Tlolane at WorldFootball.net
  2. ↑ Tebogo Tlolane at Soccerway. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
  3. ↑ Mailwane, Tshepang (17 February 2026). "Tlolane Opens Up On Latest Move: 'Mixed Emotions'". Soccer Laduma. Retrieved 26 March 2026.

Club career

Tlolane was born in Johannesburg and started his football career at Jomo Cosmos in 2016. After making over 70 appearances for the club across all competitions, he moved to Chippa United in 2018. His performances as an attacking left-sided player earned him a transfer to Orlando Pirates in 2019, where he made his debut against AmaZulu.

During his tenure at Pirates, Tlolane spent several successful loan spells at Maritzburg United, becoming a vital part of the squad that secured top-flight survival. In August 2023, he joined Golden Arrows on a free transfer, appearing 10 times for the Durban-based side.

In January 2026, Tlolane signed with National First Division side Leicesterford City F.C. He made an immediate impact, scoring his first goal for the club and providing veteran leadership in their push for promotion. He is currently reunited at the club with former Pirates teammate Fortune Makaringe.[1]

International career

Tlolane was called up to the South African national team for the 2023 COSAFA Cup, where he made his international debut. As of March 2026, he has earned 8 caps for Bafana Bafana, representing the country in both the 2025 ANC qualifiers and the 2026 CHAN tournament.

Style of play

Known for his versatility, Tlolane is comfortable playing anywhere along the left flank, including left-back, left wing-back, and left winger. He is noted for his technical ability, dribbling skills, and delivery from wide areas, which earned him the nickname "Messi" during his developmental years. Under coach Stanford Nkoane at Leicesterford City, he has frequently been deployed in more advanced attacking roles to utilize his goal-scoring instinct and playmaking vision.

References

  1. ↑ Mailwane, Tshepang (17 February 2026). "Tlolane Opens Up On Latest Move: 'Mixed Emotions'". Soccer Laduma. Retrieved 26 March 2026.


Club career

Born in Johannesburg,[1] Tlolane started his career at Jomo Cosmos but was released by the club in 2018,[2] and went on to join Chippa United.[3] In the summer of 2019, he signed for Orlando Pirates,[4] and made his debut for the club on 20 August 2019 in a 0–0 draw with AmaZulu.[5] In January 2020, Tlolane joined Maritzburg United on loan until the end of the season.[6] In June 2020, the deal was extended for one further season.[7] However, he was recalled in September 2020.[8] In October 2020, he returned to Maritzburg United on a season-long loan.[9] He moved to Golden Arrows in August 2023.[10]

International career

Tlolane was called up for South Africa for the 2023 COSAFA Cup, where he made his international debut.[11]

References

  1. ↑ Cite error: The named reference wf was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ↑ "Cosmos confirm 12 new signings". The Citizen. 18 July 2018. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  3. ↑ Malepo, Pedro (18 August 2018). "Chippa United and Black Leopards eke out exciting draw". Independent Online. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  4. ↑ "Pirates announce six new players". The Citizen. 24 June 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  5. ↑ Dladla, Nkululeko (22 August 2019). "Siphesihle Ndlovu, Tebogo Tlolane investments for Orlando Pirates' future". Kick Off. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  6. ↑ "Orlando Pirates duo shipped out of the club". Kick Off. 23 January 2020. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  7. ↑ "Tebogo Tlolane extends Maritzburg United stay". Kick Off. 24 June 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  8. ↑ "Tebogo Tlolane returns to Orlando Pirates after Maritzburg United loan PSL transfer news". Kick Off. 15 September 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  9. ↑ "Pirates finally confirm Ofori signing". FourFourTwo. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  10. ↑ Kohler, Lorenz (25 August 2023). "Arrows Signing Ex-Pirates And Wydad Players". iDiski Times. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  11. ↑ Tebogo Tlolane at National-Football-Teams.com
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