From Repaired Boots to the World Cup: The Inspiring Journey Behind Bafana Defender Samukele Kabini’s Rise
When Bafana Bafana begin their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign next week, defender Samukele Kabini will carry more than just South Africa’s hopes on his shoulders.
For the former Orlando Pirates and TS Galaxy defender, the journey to football’s biggest stage began in Thembalethu in KwaMhlanga, in the KwaNdebele region of Mpumalanga, where his dream was kept alive by the sacrifices of his mother, Thabisile Kabini.
Speaking on Ikwekwezi FM’s Zitheziwe programme on Saturday, Thabisile opened up about the financial struggles and emotional challenges she faced while supporting her son’s football ambitions during his formative years.
According to Thabisile, every opportunity Samukele received required sacrifice. She used money earned from various menial jobs to ensure he could attend trials, travel to tournaments and purchase football equipment, despite the family’s limited resources.
One particular memory still stands out.
She recalled taking her son to trials at the University of Pretoria’s Tuks Football Academy, where she noticed he was wearing a pair of worn-out football boots that had recently been repaired by a local shoe repairer.
“I remember when he first went for trials at Tuks, his soccer boots were worn out and had just been fixed by a local shoe repairer,” she said.
“As a parent it was painful for me to see my son wearing worn-out boots while other children had boots that were in good condition.”
Thabisile admitted she feared the condition of the boots would affect her son’s performance and potentially cost him a chance to impress the coaches.
“I was worried that he wouldn’t be able to play properly because of the boots and that he might not succeed, but he didn’t allow that to affect him. Somehow he got selected and I was happy,” she added.
That successful trial would prove to be a significant stepping stone in a journey that has since taken Kabini from local football fields in Mpumalanga to the international stage.
After developing his game in Pretoria, Kabini’s career continued to gather momentum. In 2022, at the age of 18, he joined Orlando Pirates’ reserve side, where he quickly established himself as one of the most promising young defenders in the DStv Diski Challenge.
His performances in the Premier Soccer League’s reserve competition attracted the attention of TS Galaxy, who offered him an opportunity in senior football.
Kabini made 15 appearances across all competitions during the 2023/24 campaign before enjoying a breakthrough season in 2024/25. The centre-back featured in 23 matches and scored three league goals, emerging as one of the most exciting young defenders in South African football.
His rapid rise soon attracted international interest.
In 2025, Norwegian top-flight club Molde FK secured his signature from TS Galaxy, giving the defender his first opportunity to play abroad and test himself in the Eliteserien.
Molde FK and Bafana Bafana Defender Samukele Kabini (Image: Molde FK)
The move proved to be another important step forward. Kabini established himself in Norway with a series of consistent performances that caught the attention of Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos.
Last week, those efforts were rewarded when Kabini was named in South Africa’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
For Thabisile, the squad announcement was an emotional moment.
She revealed that she watched the live announcement with her fingers crossed, hoping to hear her son’s name among the players selected to represent the country on the biggest stage in world football.
When the announcement finally came, it marked the culmination of years of sacrifice, perseverance and belief.
Looking back on the journey from Thembalethu to the World Cup, Thabisile expressed gratitude for how far her son has come and credited God for helping make the dream a reality.
Kabini now has the opportunity to add another chapter to his inspiring story when Bafana Bafana begin their World Cup campaign.
South Africa have been drawn in Group A alongside Mexico, the Czech Republic and South Korea. Their campaign begins next Thursday against hosts Mexico as they seek a strong start to their quest for global success.
For Kabini, the occasion will represent far more than just another football match. It will be the latest milestone in a journey that began with repaired boots, a mother’s unwavering support and a dream that refused to fade.