Thembinkosi ‘Terror’ Fanteni Resurfaces in Football with Coaching Role in Cape Town

Former Bafana Bafana striker Thembinkosi “Terror” Fanteni has made a return to the football world, taking up a coaching role with the M8 High Performance Football Programme in Cape Town. This marks a new chapter for Fanteni, who made significant contributions to South African football during his prime years.

Fanteni, now 40, earned 21 caps for Bafana Bafana, with his career highlights including playing in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and representing South Africa at the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations finals. His playing career saw him move through various clubs, from Ajax Cape Town to Maccabi Haifa in Israel, before returning to domestic football with Orlando Pirates, Ajax, and Bidvest Wits. His last professional appearances were during the 2012/13 season, and he also had a short stint with Steenberg United in the third-tier league.

Now, after a dozen years since his last professional match, Fanteni has taken on a new challenge. He joins Mario Booysen at the M8 High Performance Football Programme, an initiative that focuses on training and developing young footballers to become future professionals. This programme is based in Rondebosch, Cape Town, and runs from Monday to Friday. Unlike a development club, the M8 programme is centered on high-performance training, which aims to prepare young talents for the professional football scene.

Gary Cassisa, the director of Mede8 Sports Agency, confirmed Fanteni’s new role, stating, “Terror now joins Mario Booysen. The programme has been running for a few months, and we have already seen players progress from the amateur ranks to professional clubs.” One such success story is Connor Jales, an 18-year-old striker who signed with Baroka FC and made his debut in the Nedbank Cup qualification round.

Fanteni’s transition into coaching represents not just a return to football but also a significant opportunity to shape the future of South African football by mentoring young talent. With his extensive experience both locally and internationally, Fanteni is poised to play a vital role in nurturing the next generation of footballers.