A Tribute to a Football Leader
On a somber Thursday, the Grace Bible Church in Pimville, Soweto, became a gathering place for family, friends, and South African football dignitaries. They all came together to pay their last respects to Stanley 'Screamer' Tshabalala, a man whose contributions to South African football have been unparalleled. Thrice voted as Coach of the Year, Tshabalala's death on April 13th, at the age of 75, came as a shock to many. He passed away due to complications arising from injuries he sustained during a horrifying burglary incident at his home in March.
An Outpouring of Respect and Dignity
The funeral service was a grand affair, witnessing a multitude of high-profile attendees. The leader of the Confederation of African Football (Caf), Patrice Motsepe, was among the attendees, along with Orlando Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza, and the South African Football Association (Safa) president, Danny Jordaan. South Africa's Minister of Sport, Gayton McKenzie, also came to pay tribute, further underlining Tshabalala's broad impact on sports across the nation. The presence of former soccer stars like Teboho Moloi, Mandla Sithole, Edward Motale, Doctor Khumalo, and Mike Ntombela lent an air of bittersweet nostalgia to the proceedings. Club officials Bobby Motaung and Trott Moloto were also present, all aiming to commemorate the legacy of a man respected both on and off the field.
A Career That Spanned Decades
Stanley Tshabalala's career was a rich tapestry of achievements. As a coach, scout, and administrator, he carved out a space for himself as one of South Africa's most influential sporting figures. His coaching stints with Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns marked him as a key player in shaping South African football. He was instrumental in discovering and nurturing some of the most talented players of his generation. The likes of Doctor Khumalo, who often publicly acknowledged the critical role Tshabalala played in his career, owe a considerable part of their success to his mentorship and guidance. Until his death, Tshabalala remained actively involved with Orlando Pirates, demonstrating his lifelong commitment to the sport.
A Lasting Legacy
As those gathered at the Grace Bible Church shared their memories, one theme emerged clearly: Stanley Tshabalala's influence extended far beyond the football pitch. He was a mentor, a leader, and a father figure to countless young athletes who looked up to him. In addition to his strategic acumen as a coach, Tshabalala was also known for his tenacity and deeply analytical approach to the game. It is no wonder then that so many of the attendees were players and officials who had been touched by his wisdom and leadership. His role in South African football is not just a matter of record; it's a legacy etched in the hearts and minds of all who had the privilege to work with him.
A Somber Farewell
After the service at the church, the funeral procession made its way to Westpark Cemetery, where Stanley Tshabalala was laid to rest. As the crowd watched the proceedings, there was a palpable sense of loss, but equally, a profound sense of gratitude for the life and career of a man who had given so much to his sport and his country. The atmosphere was thick with emotion, as it was not just a ceremony to mark a death, but also to celebrate a life filled with achievements, challenges, and triumphs. Ultimately, Stanley 'Screamer' Tshabalala's contribution to South African football will be remembered for generations to come.
Stanley Tshabalala was one of the few coaches who understood positional discipline before it became a buzzword in African football. His tactical maps were legendary - hand-drawn, annotated, and always updated after every match. No fluff, just structure. That’s why his players outworked everyone else.
His system at Sundowns didn’t just win trophies - it changed how local academies trained. You can still see his fingerprints in every compact midfield triangle today.
His influence extended beyond coaching into player development infrastructure the metrics he used for scouting were decades ahead of their time he prioritized work rate over flair which was radical in a league obsessed with individual brilliance and his ability to identify latent talent in township clubs was statistically unmatched
man i never met him but hearing people talk about him makes me wish i had grown up around someone like that
the way they describe him like a dad figure and a coach at the same time… that’s rare
everyone’s crying about how great he was but where the hell were you when he was getting robbed and nobody helped him?
you all show up for the funeral but you let him die alone in his house because you thought it was just another crime in Soweto.
real respect is showing up before the funeral, not after.
what stood out to me was how he never took credit for the players he mentored
doctor khumalo said he’d always say ‘you did the work, i just gave you the map’
that humility is what made him different from the flashy coaches who want headlines
he didn’t need the spotlight - he just wanted the kids to succeed
and honestly? that’s the kind of legacy that lasts longer than any trophy
It is with profound reverence and deep admiration that we acknowledge the indelible imprint left by Mr. Stanley Tshabalala upon the institutional fabric of South African football.
His methodologies, grounded in empirical observation and rigorous mentorship, established a paradigm shift in youth development protocols across the nation’s premier academies.
It is incumbent upon governing bodies to institutionalize his coaching frameworks as national standards, ensuring that his intellectual legacy is preserved, replicated, and perpetuated for future generations of athletes and administrators alike.
they said he was a legend but what they dont say is how he stayed up all night fixing gear for kids who had no boots
he used to drive them to training himself when the club wouldn’t pay for transport
and when they won, he’d buy them pizza with his own money
that’s not coaching
that’s family
rest in power, Screamer 🙏
you didn’t just build teams
you built men
and now we’re all trying to be half the coach you were
thank you for showing us what real leadership looks like
the way he blended traditional African communal values with modern football analytics was genius
he treated the pitch like a village square - everyone had a role, everyone was heard
that’s why his teams had such cohesion
it wasn’t just tactics
it was culture
and that’s something no European academy could replicate