Phumelele Ace Bhengu (born 19 November 1989) is a South African footballer who plays as a winger or centre forward for Tshakhuma Madzivhandila.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Phumelele Ace Bhengu[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1989-11-19) 19 November 1989 (age 32) | ||
| Place of birth | Natal, South Africa | ||
| Position(s) | Winger / Centre forward | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | Tshakhuma Madzivhandila | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2003–2008 | Moroka Swallows | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2008–2011 | Moroka Swallows | 12 | (2) |
| 2011–2013 | Mpumalanga Black Aces | ||
| 2011 | → Bay United (loan) | ||
| 2013 | Chippa United | 1 | (0) |
| 2013–2015 | Thanda Royal Zulu | 46 | (26) |
| 2015–2016 | SuperSport United | 4 | (0) |
| 2016–2017 | Royal Eagles | 15 | (1) |
| 2017–2018 | Real Kings | 20 | (5) |
| 2018– | Tshakhuma Madzivhandila | 15 | (11) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2009 | South Africa U20 | 4 | (0) |
| 2015– | South Africa | 3 | (0) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22:51, 6 October 2019 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 3 January 2018 | |||
5 years after joining Moroka Swallows' youth academy at the age of 14, in 2008 Bhengu started playing senior football in the Premier Soccer League. After scoring a brace against Kaizer Chiefs Bhengu was praised and compared to Benni McCarthy.[2]
In January 2011, Bhengu joined Bay United on a 6-month loan deal.[3] At Bay United, Bhengu reverted to playing as a striker.[4]
In January 2013, Bhengu joined Chippa United on a two-and-a-half-year deal,[5] but was released two weeks later with Chippa United citing a lack of match fitness as the reason.[6][7]
In the second half of 2013, Bhengu joined Thanda Royal Zulu and started reviving his career.[8] Bhengu finished the 2014–15 season as the top-scorer, scoring 22 goals and setting a new National First Division record.[9]
After winning the National First Division's golden boot award, Bhengu turned down offers from Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns to join SuperSport United.[10][11] Bhengu's first season with SuperSport United was not successful, managing only four substitute appearances, prompting him to request a loan move to gain game-time.[12]