The rise of Siyanda Xulu

Born in the township of KwaMashu, Siyanda Xulu's rise to topflight football is something of a fairytale story. A talent that was first spotted many moons ago by the current Golden Arrows MDC coach, Lindani Shozi for the Royal Coastals academy in Durban.

Affectionately known as Magazi within the football circles, Xulu was different from his peers who played as deep-lying midfielders or as six. He had amazing vision, outstanding tackling ability and did not commit unnecessary fouls. One-touch football also came naturally to him. A rare and disciplined approach to life and football for a boy of his age.

His rise continued when he attended the Coca-Cola football stars program which was then led by South African football legend, Doctor Khumalo. Soon after that, Xulu joined the Kaizer Chiefs academy. He played for the Naturena based outfit for just a season.

Mamelodi Sundowns

On one fateful afternoon, the then Head of Development at Mamelodi Sundowns, Zipho Dlangalala paid Xulu senior a visit. Dlangalala, who is a football development genius in his own right, managed to convince Xulu to join Mamelodi Sundowns to join the first team if he kept up his good performances. After Xulu agreed to join Sundowns, he played for Dan Malesela's under 19 side which won the 2009 Bayhill Premier Cup competition.

During his days as a junior at the Royal Coastal Academy, at Chiefs and at Sundowns, coaches never lacked a leader in Siyanda. His disciplined lifestyle often led to his name being raised for captaincy. His exemplary behavior and approach to life has opened many doors and earned him contracts, something which talent alone wouldn't do for him. He also captained South Africa at the u/23 level. One hoped Xulu would remain in the Bafana Bafana selectors' minds given his performances at junior level.

In August of 2009, Xulu was promoted to the Mamelodi Sundowns first team, already a center-back at this time. He joined a star-studded side that had the likes of Katleho Mphela, Pa Gaxa and Mathew Booth who were all seasoned Bafana Bafana players. At just the age of 17, Xulu was given the jersey number 25 by Michael Manzini, a club legend himself. A jersey that many could have deemed as a heavy burden for the young defender, the young man was however not fazed by it, he wore the jersey with aplomb.

During his stay at Sundowns, Xulu played alongside the likes of Eduardo Ferreira, Thapelo Tshilo, Derick Spencer and Mathew Booth. However, it was alongside Luvhengo Mungomeni, another youngster at the heart of defense under the tutelage of Bulgarian legend, Hristo Stoichkov, where Xulu showed great understanding, leadership, and defensive prowess.

FC Rostov

Xulu scored important goals for Sundowns between 2009 and 2012. During this period the likes of Arsenal, and Barcelona, started to send trial invitations for the youngster. National team call ups, for the under 23 side and the senior squad were already a norm for him at the time. Even though he once had a nightmare of a game for the national team against the Brazilian side that had Neymar jr, already a superstar by then. Out of all the teams that came knocking for Xulu's services at Sundowns, It was Rostov of Russia who were serious about his services. Xulu joined Rostov in August 2012 on a 5-year deal.

He spent three seasons in Russia, and it was in his third season at Rostov where life in Russia became difficult. In as much as the weather was unfavorable, off the field issues, especially with the coach made his stay at Rostov unbearable.

Kaizer Chiefs

Xulu then returned to South Africa and joined Kaizer Chiefs in July of 2015. A club which he had unfinished business with as he had never played for the first team even though he was once part of their junior sides. He made his Chiefs debut against Maritzburg United in an MTN 8 game where he scored for both sides. He scored an own goal during the early stages of the game but went on to rectify his mistake by scoring for Chiefs later on. As soon as the storm settled, things started to fall into place.

After few months of regular football at the club, Siyanda fell out of Steve Komphela's favor and was relegated to the bench. He was later sent to their MDC team to get regular action, after recovering from a head injury. His 'unfinished' business motive became a frustration. Little did he know that his stay at the club was soon to be deemed no longer useful for first-team football and that led to him leaving Amakhosi.

Maritzburg United

In August of 2017, Xulu was snatched by Maritzburg United, after his agency and Chiefs decided they should terminate and allow him to seek employment elsewhere. It is at Maritzburg United where his confidence, attitude, great performances were revived by then-coach Fadlu Davids. It did not take long for the talented defender to have the Maritzburg United captain's armband handed to him.

Coaches started to believe in him again, He began to earn the trust of his teammates which grew with every passing game. His confidence was back and the attention of scouts and media was suddenly back on him once again. Nazeer Allie, Rushine De Reuck, Kwanda Mngonyama are players he shares the CB role with at the heart of the Maritzburg United defense.

He was greatly missed during the 2019 TKO final against Mamelodi Sundowns at the Moses Mabhida Stadium where Maritzburg United surrendered a 1-0 lead and went onto lose the final 2-1. He was out with an ankle injury which kept him out of the game for two months.

Siyanda Xulu's confidence is back, his attitude is right, his rise to promise continues and Eric Tinkler, his current coach, couldn't be happier. Siyanda proves that previous disappointments and setbacks make you stronger. It didn't take away his talent. His rise to stardom, fame, and money didn't take his humility that he's well-known for in his community of KwaMashu.

Xulu, now 29, continues to rise and will be hoping to attract the attention of national team coach Molefi Ntseki, and also earn himself a new contract in 2020/21 season as his current one at Maritzburg United is due to end at the end of the current season.