Lebogang Manyama is a retired South African footballer celebrated for his intelligence, vision, and goal-scoring ability from midfield. Best known for his talismanic captaincy at Cape Town City and his influential spell at Kaizer Chiefs, he was named the PSL Footballer of the Season in 2017. Although injuries curtailed his career, he remains one of the most gifted playmakers of his generation.
| INFO | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | Lebogang Manyama |
| Nationality | South Africa |
| Date of Birth | 13 September 1990 |
| Latest club | N/A |
| Shirt number | N/A |
| Position | Attacking Midfielder |
Playing style and attributes
Manyama operated as a versatile “number 10” or shadow striker who thrived on finding pockets of space between defensive lines.
- 🧠 Intelligent movement allows him to drift into dangerous scoring positions undetected.
- 🎯 Clinical finishing made him the league’s top scorer in the 2016/17 season despite playing in midfield.
- ⚡ Creative vision enables him to thread perfectly weighted through-balls to advancing strikers.
- 🧱 Leadership qualities saw him captain Cape Town City to major silverware in their inaugural campaign.
Professional career
From his early days in Alexandra to becoming a household name in the Premier Soccer League, Manyama’s journey was defined by technical brilliance and resilience. His career path took him through some of South Africa’s biggest clubs and a brief stint in Europe.
Rise to PSL stardom
Manyama began his professional journey with Ajax Cape Town, where his raw talent quickly caught the eye. He became a key figure for the Urban Warriors. Over three seasons, his ability to link play and score crucial goals established him as one of the most promising young talents in the country. His impressive form eventually earned him a move to SuperSport United in 2014.
While his time at SuperSport United was solid, it was a loan spell at Mpumalanga Black Aces that reignited his best form. Under the guidance of Muhsin Ertugral, he rediscovered his creative spark. This resurgence set the stage for the most defining chapter of his career, as he prepared to lead a brand-new franchise in the Mother City.
Peak years and Kaizer Chiefs
The 2016/17 season with Cape Town City was undoubtedly Manyama’s peak. As captain, he led the club to Telkom Knockout glory and swept the PSL awards. He was named Footballer of the Season, Players’ Player of the Season, and Top Goalscorer. This explosive form secured a transfer to Turkish side Konyaspor, though his time in Europe was brief.
Returning to South Africa, he joined giants Kaizer Chiefs in 2018. He became an integral part of the squad that narrowly missed the league title in 2020 and reached the CAF Champions League final in 2021. However, persistent knee injuries plagued his final years, eventually forcing him to announce his retirement in 2023 at the age of 32.
| Team (Appea.) | G/A/YC/RC |
|---|---|
| Ajax Cape Town (100) | 16/9/6/0 |
| Kaizer Chiefs (98) | 15/15/9/0 |
| Cape Town City (56) | 16/12/9/0 |
| SuperSport Utd (38) | 6/2/2/0 |
| Mpumalanga Black Aces (16) | 3/3/3/0 |
| Konyaspor (10) | 2/1/1/0 |
International highlights
Manyama’s international career with Bafana Bafana saw him earn around 19 caps, though he missed out on major tournament finals. He made his debut in 2013 against Namibia and became a regular option for qualifiers. His ability to play as a false nine or attacking midfielder gave national coaches a unique tactical option.
One of his most memorable moments came in a friendly against Zambia in 2017, where he scored his only international goal. Despite his consistent club form, injuries and stiff competition often kept him from cementing a permanent starting spot in AFCON or World Cup squads.
| Competition (Stage) | MP (Goal) |
|---|---|
| WC Qualifiers (Group Stage) | 5 (0) |
| AFCON Qualifiers (Group Stage) | 4 (0) |
| International Friendlies | 6 (1) |
Clubs journey
Lebogang Manyama’s career trajectory reflects a player who consistently performed at the highest level of South African football. His move to Cape Town City defined his legacy as a club legend. Although his European adventure was short, his impact on the domestic league remains undeniable.
After leaving Kaizer Chiefs, he briefly returned to Cape Town City with hopes of a swansong season. However, a chronic knee condition prevented him from taking the field, leading to his transition into a coaching role within the club’s technical team.
| Years | Club |
|---|---|
| 2010–2013 | Ajax Cape Town |
| 2014–2016 | SuperSport United |
| 2015–2016 | Mpumalanga Black Aces (Loan) |
| 2016–2017 | Cape Town City |
| 2017–2018 | Konyaspor |
| 2018–2022 | Kaizer Chiefs |
| 2023 | Cape Town City (Retired) |