From “Mercedes-Benz” to “Cheeseboy”: 5 Memorable Nicknames of SA’s Soccer Stars
In the competitive world of soccer, it’s a tough journey to make a name for yourself. When you finally do, it’s usually by another name that fans know you best!
There are plenty of South African footballers with wild, unique and intriguing nicknames, but these five players certainly have the most memorable monikers that have endeared them to fans and made them stand out, both on and off the pitch.
Check out these superstars’ iconic sobriquets:
Linda Buthelezi – “Mercedes-Benz”
As a midfielder, Linda Buthelezi was known for being a bit of a dirty player on the pitch, earning himself plenty of red cards during his playing career. So when he was called up to the national men’s team in 1995, sceptics believed he would be a huge detriment to the team.
During a press conference, Bafana Bafana coach Clive Barker defended Buthelezi, bestowing his nickname, “Mercedes-Benz”, onto him in the process.
Buthelezi recalled in a 2022 interview: “During one of the press conferences some journalist asked him, ‘Why are you insisting on playing Linda? Aren’t you afraid he will cost your team?’ Clive’s reply was, ‘Let me tell you, there’s only one person who is a backbone of this team, and it’s this guy. This is my Mercedes. He is a pillar of this team.’
“So, that’s how the name came about. That’s how Clive described me … If you can take all these characteristics of the Mercedes-Benz, that’s me.”
Although Buthelezi drove Bafana Bafana to many victories, it was still a bumpy road filled with red cards!
Knowledge Musona – “Smiling Assassin”
Zimbabwean left winger Knowledge Musona was a prominent fixture of Kaizer Chiefs from 2009 to 2011. He also played for a variety of clubs in Germany, Belgium and Saudi Arabia. His style of play has been described as clinical and adaptable.
So, how did this cheerful-faced player come to be known as the “Smiling Assassin”?
“One guy from the Kaizer Chiefs media team gave me the nickname because I used to smile every time even if the referee said something or blew the whistle against me,” Musona recalled in a 2018 interview.
In other words, if you ever see Musona smiling, be sure to expect something special on the pitch!
Arthur Zwane – “10111”
Arthur Zwane is a legend, spending most of his playing career with Kaizer Chiefs (and even coaching them from 2022 to 2023). Before that, he plied his trade at Tembisa Classic from 1999 to 2000.
Due to his impressive performance and agility, Zwane garnered the nickname “10111” at Tembisa. This is a nod to the South African emergency number – or a police van, in Zwane’s case. You could say HE was the emergency number that his team called when they needed rescuing.
If nothing else, we can all agree that Zwane in his prime was likely much quicker than a real police van!
Lebohang Mokoena – “Cheeseboy”
Some folks have cheesy nicknames, but Lebohang Mokoena’s pet name must just be the cheesiest of all!
During his under-15 soccer days, Mokoena used to shave his head, earning himself the nickname “Cheesy” by his friends and teammates. When he was promoted to Orlando Pirates’ first team, the older players changed his nickname a little.
“Because I was the youngest, the older players would call me ‘Cheeseboy’,” he recalled in a 2024 interview.
Supporters who were familiar with Mokoena from his developmental days also started calling him “Cheeseboy”, and he’s affectionately embraced the nickname ever since.
Doctor Khumalo – “16V”
Another Kaizer Chiefs alumni, Doctor Khumalo is much respected by his fellow players and fans for being tactical and creating goals out of nowhere.
“He was very smart, he is one of the best players to have donned the Kaizer Chiefs jersey,” his former teammate Zebulon Nhlapo recalled in a 2022 interview. “He had this football thing, he was gifted.”
So, how did Khumalo earn the nickname “16V”?
“The 16V [GTI] Golf was the in-thing back then,” explained Nhlapo, “and just like the car, you would think he had a turbocharger just like the Volkswagen.”
Although most people might not regard this car as a classic, Khumalo is certainly a classic in the world of South African football!
Image Credit: Source
