Johannesburg to Dallas: How a former Kaizer Chiefs starlet forged a pro career despite naysayers

The 2010 FIFA World Cup was a turning point in the life and career of new FC Dallas midfielder Tsiki Ntsabeleng.

Ntsabeleng was 12 years old when Spain and the Netherlands contested the World Cup final in his hometown of Johannesburg, South Africa. Spain claimed its first World Cup crown with a 1-0 win that would help solidify its Golden Generation – epitomized by small, technically gifted midfielders – as one of the best international sides the game has ever seen.

And for Ntsabeleng, the Spanish victory proved he had a place in the sport.

“For the most part of my career, I was told I was too small to play,” said Ntsabeleng, who now stands at 5-foot-6. “But when I saw a team like Spain, with all short players winning the World Cup, it kind of gave me motivation and showed that it’s possible for everybody despite their size. And for me, that’s the biggest inspiration I got, really. Even if you’re a small player, it doesn’t matter. If you work hard, you can still achieve your dreams.”

Ntsabeleng was first introduced to the sport by his father, River Ntsabeleng. The young Ntsabeleng even slept with a soccer ball on his pillow in those days. “I think that’s how I truly fell in love with the game,” he says.

At 14, Ntsabeleng joined the Stars of Africa Football Academy, where he stayed for two years before joining the reserve team of Kaizer Chiefs. His next stop was the University of Johannesburg, where he was spotted by South Africa’s youth scouts and invited to the Under 20 national team. And that’s where Ntsabeleng’s continent-spanning journey began.

Another Johannesburg native, Kyle Timm, watched Ntsabeleng compete for the Under 20s and was impressed enough to offer the 19-year-old a scholarship to the University of Coastal Carolina, where Timm was an assistant coach at the time. Ntsabeleng played two seasons for the Chanticleers and graduated with a degree in Sports and Fitness Administration. Although he now had a diploma in hand, Ntsabeleng still wanted to chase his dream and reach the professional level. But he knew there were some built-in obstacles.

“When (Coastal Carolina) offered me a scholarship, they told me the path to get to the pros. They told me the challenges I might have as an international player. All pro teams only have a certain amount of international spots on their team, which may make it a little bit difficult for me. But I understood the task, and I was ready to move on and get to work.”

After earning his degree, Ntsabeleng enrolled in a graduate program at Oregon State University, where he would have two successful seasons with the Beavers. With an All-Pac-12 First Team recognition to his name, Ntsabeleng entered the 2022 MLS SuperDraft, where he was taken 29th overall by FC Dallas.

This story was first published in the FC Dallas website. It was written by By Garrett Melcer. https://www.fcdallas.com/news/johannesburg-to-dallas-how-tsiki-ntsabeleng-forged-pro-career-despite-naysayers

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