| Player Profile | |
|---|---|
| Name | Theophilus “16v” Doctorson Khumalo |
| Nationality | South African |
| Date of Birth | 26th of June 1967 |
| Latest Club | *Retired |
| Latest Position | (was) Attacking Midfield |
History of Doctor Khumalo
It’s fair to say that Doctor Khumalo isn’t too well known outside of his homeland, but for a time in the 1990s, he was certainly one of the best soccer players in South Africa.
Born in Soweto on the 26th of June, 1967, Theophilus “16v” Doctorson Khumalo. His father, Eliakim Khumalo, was a successful player in the 1970s and 1980s. He helped guide his son through the early years when he was developing his game.
Doctor Khumalo in South Africa
Khumalo first appeared on the South African football radar with Moroka Swallows Football Club in 1984. The Swallows are located in Soweto, Johannesburg, in the Gauteng province, so this would have been Khumalo’s local team.
At the tender age of 17, the Moroka Swallows youth team was the first taste of professional football for Doctor Khumalo. He spent one season with the Swallows before moving on.
Kaizer Chiefs
Having joined the Kaizer Chiefs youth team in 1986, Doctor Khumalo would remain at the club for his entire career – other than having two brief loan spells to play overseas.
After a single season with the youth team, Khumalo was promoted to the first team – starting a game for the Chiefs against their fierce rivals, the Orlando Pirates. Known for energy and stamina, Khumalo picked up the nickname “16 valves” (16v for short), which stuck with him throughout his career.
The career of Khumalo flourished in the 1990s. He was an integral part of the Kaizer Chiefs sides that dominated South African football throughout the decade. He helped the club win three South African Premier League titles and five cup competitions.
In 1992, at the peak of his powers, Khumalo was voted South African Footballer of the Year. He retired from playing in 2002 after making 397 appearances for the Kaizer Chiefs and scoring many important goals.
Doctor Khumalo International Career
The player had two spells overseas at club level, and he made numerous appearances for the South Africa national team.
Ferro Carril Oeste
After linking up with FIFA agent Marcelo Houseman, Khumalo took a 6-month loan spell from the Kaizer Chiefs to play for the Argentine club Ferro Carril Oeste. He made four appearances for Ferro, scoring one goal.
Columbus Crew
Again, thanks to his agent’s connections, Khumalo secured a second loan move in 1995. This time he went to play for Columbus Crew in the United States’ Major League Soccer.
Khumalo enjoyed a fair bit of success in the MLS. He made a total of 43 appearances and scored 5 goals. At the end of the loan, he returned to Kaizer Chiefs, where he continued playing until retirement in 2002.
South Africa National Team
Doctor Khumalo made 50 appearances for the South Africa senior team, which highlights the talent he had.
His first international appearance came in 1992. It was against Cameroon. Khumalo scored from the penalty spot and the Bafana Bafana went on to win the game 1 – 0.
Arguably, his greatest achievement during his playing career was being a key member of the South Africa side that won the 1996 Africa Nations Cup. In addition to that, Khumalo appeared in the 1998 World Cup in France for his nation.
From his 50 appearances, he scored 9 goals for South Africa – not a bad return for an attacking midfielder. One of his highlights was in the 1996 Mandela Cup against Brazil.
First, he assisted Phil Masinga to open the scoring, then he added a second goal himself. South Africa was in dreamland – 2 – 0 up against the mighty South Americans.
As it happens, Brazil roared back in the second half and won 3 – 2, but Khumalo’s performance certainly caught the eye.
| Doctor Khumalo Teams | |
|---|---|
| Team | Period |
| Moroka Swallows | 1984 – 1985 |
| Kaizer Chiefs | 1986 – 2002 |
| Ferro Carril Oeste (loan) | 1995 |
| Columbus Crew (loan) | 1996 – 1997 |
Frequently Asked Questions about Doctor Khumalo
Doctor Khumalo may not have played in Europe, but he was certainly one of South Africa’s top players throughout the 1990s. For more information, check out these FAQs about the player.
He is best known as an ex-football player. However, he also tried his hand at coaching and gave acting a go in the 2010 film Themba.
Khumalo is the technical director of Baroka Football Club at the moment.
He retired from playing at the age of 35.
Throughout his senior career, his only parent club was the Kaizer Chiefs. But he did have two loan spells overseas. One with Ferro Carril Oeste and the other at Columbus Crew in the United States.
Reports suggest that Khumalo is worth in the region of EUR 5 million, based on earnings from his playing career.
He is currently 54 years old.
He was born in Soweto, in South Africa’s Gauteng province.
Khumalo scored 36 league goals for Kaizer Chiefs, Ferro, and Columbus Crew combined. This doesn’t include the goals scored in cup games. He also scored 9 goals for his national team.
He won 3 South Africa Premier League titles and 5 domestic cups with the Kaizer Chiefs. Furthermore, he was an integral part of the South Africa team that won the 1996 Africa Nations Cup.
