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Thabo Mngomeni
Thabo Mngomeni (born 24 June 1969, Cape Town, Western Cape) is a South African former Association football midfielder. After starting his professional career at Cape Town Spurs and having a brief spell at Manning Rangers, Mngomeni became a household name in South Africa playing for Bush Bucks and Orlando Pirates. He also had a brief spell at Hellenic before retirement. He played for South Africa national soccer team and was a participant at the 2002 FIFA World Cup.[1] Cape Town SpursHe was recruited by former Kaizer Chiefs, Cape Town Spurs and Hellenic player, Sergio Dos Santos from an Eastern Cape amateur team, Tembu Royals. He left Spurs after two loan deals claiming that his coach, Mich D'Avray "hated him with a passion and he didn't know why".[2] Umtata Bush BucksHe first heard of the doping test in 1996 when he was informed by club officials who were aware that he smoked marijuana. Since Mngomeni was a Rastafarian he only smoked marijuana during pre-season.[2] Orlando PiratesMngomeni would play for Orlando Pirates between 1998 and 2002 and become the club captain, leading them to the league title in 2001. It was during this period that he also became a regular at national level, and was one of very few locally based players in the South Africa squad during that period. International careerHe made his debut for the national football side at 29 in a 1–0 victory over Angola in 1998. All in all he played for the national team on 38 occasions, scoring six goals. He won the 2001 CAF Goal of the Year, for his bicycle kick against Congo. RetirementAfter joining Hellenic his career came to an end and he retired because of a knee injury at the age of 33.[2] After retirementHe has coached at a number of Vodacom League teams in Cape Town. He completed his SAFA Level 2 coaching course.[2] In 2022, he launched the Thabo Mngomeni Foundation, and has been coaching in the rural areas of the Eastern Cape province. Personal lifeHe is the older brother of Thando Mngomeni. He is married and has five daughters. He lives in Eerste River in Cape Town[2] Career statisticsInternational goals
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