Former Sundowns star starts life after football in jail

Lungisani Ndlela, the towering 2-meter striker, may not have achieved legendary status at Mamelodi Sundowns, but his infectious smile, impressive height, and celebratory dance moves earned him a special place in the hearts of Kabo Yellow supporters.

Today, Ndlela’s journey has taken an unexpected turn, leading him from the football pitch to the halls of a correctional facility.

Born in Frankfort, Free State, Ndlela’s football career began at Maritzburg City in 2000.

He went on to play for several clubs, including the University of Pretoria, Moroka Swallows, SuperSport United, and Sundowns, before ending his professional journey at United FC in the first division.

Following retirement, Ndlela faced financial difficulties, a common struggle for many former footballers.

However, he refused to succumb to despair. In 2012, he sought employment as a prison warder in Witbank, Mpumalanga, demonstrating resilience and adaptability.

Speaking to Radio 2000 last year, Ndlela shared, “I’m still working at Correctional Services eMalahleni. I’ve been there since 2012 after the contract ended at Swallows. There were issues with the contract so I had to make a plan and I started working.”

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