Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 20, 2026

Thabo Matlaba

Thabo "Festival" Matlaba is a South African professional association footballer who plays as a left-back for Premier Soccer League club Golden Arrows. He is known for his long range shots with both his feet. Although he plays mostly as a left back, Matlaba is naturally right-footed.

Last revised
Jul 20, 2026
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Thabo Matlaba
Personal information
Date of birth (1987-12-13) 13 December 1987
Place of birth Tembisa, South Africa
Height 1.69 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position Left-back
Team information
Current team
 Lamontville Golden Arrows F.C.
Number 28
Youth career
Leicester City (South Africa)
Mighty Tigers
M Tigers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2011 Free State Stars 33 (3)
2012–2019 Orlando Pirates 149 (9)
2019–2020 Black Leopards 24 (1)
2020–2021 Swallows 40 (0)
2022–2025 Royal AM 72 (5)
2025– Lamontville Golden Arrows F.C. 9 (0)
International career‡
2011– South Africa 29 (1)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 4 January 2026
‡ National team caps and goals as of 12 November 2016

Thabo "Festival" Matlaba (born 13 December 1987) is a South African professional association footballer who plays as a left-back for Premier Soccer League club Golden Arrows. He is known for his long range shots with both his feet. Although he plays mostly as a left back, Matlaba is naturally right-footed.

Club career

Orlando Pirates

Matlaba played for Orlando Pirates from the 2012 till 2019.1

Golden Arrows

In 2025 he joined Premier Soccer League club Golden Arrows.2

International career

Matlaba made his debut for South Africa on 14 May 2011 versus Tanzania in an international friendly.3

Matlaba scored his first international goal with a 40-yard (37 m) drive in a World Cup qualifier against the Central African Republic on 23 March 2013.45

Career statistics

Club

As of 30 January 20186
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Free State Stars 2010–11 Premier Soccer League 27 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 27 3
2011–12 Premier Soccer League 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
Total 33 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 33 3
Orlando Pirates 2011–12 Premier Soccer League 12 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 13 0
2012–13 Premier Soccer League 22 1 1 0 2 1 2a 0 27 2
2013–14 Premier Soccer League 25 2 5 0 4 0 11b 2 45 4
2014–15 Premier Soccer League 17 1 2 0 0 0 4a 1 23 2
2015–16 Premier Soccer League 24 3 5 0 3 0 0 0 32 3
2016–17 Premier Soccer League 24 1 5 0 3 0 1a 0 33 1
2017–18 Premier Soccer League 15 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 17 1
Total 139 9 19 0 14 1 18 3 190 13
Career total 172 12 19 0 14 1 18 3 223 16
  1. Appearances in MTN 8
  2. Three appearances in MTN 8, eight appearances in CAF Champions League

International

Scores and results list South Africa's goal tally first.6
Goal Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 23 March 2013 Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa  Central African Republic 1–0 2–0 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
References

References

  1. "Former Orlando Pirates captain Thabo Matlaba breaks silence over his controversial exit - 'Rhulani and Happy Jele were close' | Goal.com South Africa". www.goal.com. 16 May 2025. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  2. Sithole, Sinethemba (13 April 2025). "Thabo Matlaba & one other Royal AM star spotted at Golden Arrows". FARPost. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  3. "Bafana defeat Taifa Stars". Supersport. 14 May 2011. Archived from the original on 30 August 2011. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
  4. Eslick, Daniel (25 March 2013). "South Africa Player of the Week: Thabo Matlaba". Goal.com. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
  5. "Thabo Matlaba". national-football-teams.com. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
  6. "T. Matlaba". Soccerway. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
External links