Veli Mothwa
Date of birth: 12 February 1991
National team: South Africa
Position: Goalkeeper
Mothwa began his journey in football at the age of eight after being inspired by the late Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Arthur Baartman. He started out as a goalkeeper in primary school and did not play in any outfield position.
The Zebediela-born star rose through the professional football ranks after joining Limpopo’s Baroka F.C. The Bafana Bafana custodian joined AmaZulu in November 2020 and quickly established himself as the club’s first choice in goal.
Mothwa in the prime of his career, was called up to the national team for the first time in July 2021. Later that year, he captained South Africa to victory in the 2021 COSAFA Cup in the Eastern Cape. He was called up to be part of Bafana Bafana’s squad at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 tournament.
Mothwa spends his spare time listening to Limpopo music known as skompo. He has two children: a nine-year-old son and an eleven-year-old daughter.
Riaan Hanamub
Date of birth: 8 February 1995
National team: Namibia
Position: Defender
Hanamub was born in Otavi, Namibia and began his professional career for Touch and Go Otavi and Orlando Pirates Windhoek in his home country.
A career-changing move came for the player in 2018 when he headed to South Africa and plyed his trade at Jomo Cosmos for two seasons before joining Chippa United.
The left-back was then snapped up by AmaZulu in 2022 after he spent a two year spell with the Chilli Boys. A crucial player in the Usuthu squad, Hanamub will be representing his country at the AFCON 2023 tournament.
His favourite motivational quote is: “Failure is not an option, succeed or die trying.”
