Full Name: Stanley Tshabalala
Nickname: “Screamer”
Place of Birth: Orlando East, Soweto, South Africa
Profession: Football Player, Coach, Technical Director, Administrator

Notable Contributions

– Founding Member of Kaizer Chiefs Football Club
– Head Coach of Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns
– First Head Coach of Bafana Bafana post-readmission to FIFA
– Creator of the iconic “Shoeshine and Piano” playing style
– Technical Director at Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates

Early Life

Stanley Tshabalala was born on 15 March 1949, in Orlando East, Soweto. His first sporting experience came through boxing, where he trained under Transvaal boxing champion Jerry Moloi. However, it was football that would become his true calling and lifelong pursuit.

Caption by Aubrey Kekana: An old pic of Stanley “Screamer” Tshabalala posing with Irene Mothei, the popular shebeen queen, socialite and owner of Irene’s Place in Orlando East, Soweto. Irene’s Place was a popular spot for party goers and socialites in the seventies and eighties. Sis Irene passed away recently. May her soul rest in eternal peace.

Background

Experienced in top-level coaching and technical roles and leadership in South African football. He gained international exposure during a coaching trip to Italy, where he studied football philosophies that later shaped his tactical approach.

Career

Football Career

– Tshabalala began his playing career with Orlando Preston Brothers in 1968, before joining Kaizer XI in 1969 alongside the returning Kaizer Motaung.
– In 1970, he became a founding member of Kaizer Chiefs, helping to establish one of South Africa’s most iconic football clubs.
– He earned the nickname “Screamer” apparently because he would receive the ball, put his hands on his head and start screaming.

Amakhozi Magazine: Screamer vs Shakes Mashaba of Orlando Pirates.

After Chiefs, he played for Pimville United Brothers, African Wanderers, Vaal Professionals and Orlando Pirates.

Coaching and Technical Roles

-His coaching career began as inauspiciously in 1974. He was asked to be player coach of struggling Hammarsdale-outfit African Wanderers at the start of the season.

-He lost 10-1 in against Kaizer Chiefs in his first match in charge. He was still based in Soweto and found it difficult to always travel to Durban.

-He went back to playing at Vaal Professionals.

-In 1976, he joined Orlando Pirates, and also briefly went to the U.S to try his luck.

-His playing career effectively ended in 1977 with a bad leg break playing for the Buccaneers in a friendly against Alexandra Blackpool.

– In 1978, he took over as head coach of Orlando Pirates, winning the Champion of Champions title in the same year.

Mamelodi Sundowns:
– He was later hired by flamboyant club owner Zola Mahobe to coach Mamelodi Sundowns. There, he introduced the signature “Shoeshine and Piano” playing style, inspired by Italian football’s ground-passing game.

– He won two league titles with Sundowns in 1988 and 1990
– In 1992, Tshabalala made history as the first coach of the South African national team (Bafana Bafana) following the country’s re-admission to FIFA. He led the team to a 1–0 victory against Cameroon on 7 July 1992, marking South Africa’s return to international football.

– Served as Technical Director at Kaizer Chiefs from 1996 to 2001, and later joined Orlando Pirates in the same role. At Pirates, he played a key role in the club’s success, including their historic treble victories.

In between, he also coached Moroka Swallows and Amazulu.

Advisory Role

In later years he worked for Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates in an advisory role. When he died, he was still at Orlando Pirates.

Personal Life

Legacy

Stanley “Screamer” Tshabalala will forever be remembered as one of the architects of modern South African football. His role in founding Kaizer Chiefs, creating the “Shoeshine and Piano” style at Sundowns, and leading Bafana Bafana onto the international stage after apartheid-era isolation, places him among the legends of the sport. His technical leadership at both Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates further cements his influence across generations.

Personal Life

Stanley Tshabalala was the father of kwaito musician Tokollo “Magesh” Tshabalala of TKZee who also died in 2022. In March 2024, Tshabalala suffered a gunshot wound after a burglary at his Centurion residence. He succumbed to his injuries on 11 July 2024, at the age of 75.

Summary Profile

Name: Stanley Tshabalala
Place of Birth: Orlando East, Soweto, South Africa
Profession: Football Player, Coach, Technical Director

Key Contributions:
– Founding member of Kaizer Chiefs FC
– First post-apartheid Bafana Bafana head coach
– Developer of “Shoeshine and Piano” football style
– Head coach of Orlando Pirates and Sundowns
– Technical Director at Chiefs and Pirates
– Mentor and tactical innovator in SA football