Elias Tsabalaka
Quick Facts
Biography
Elias 'The Horse' Tsabalaka is a Malawian retired footballer born in Zimbabwe.
Mistaken by some as Zimbabwean, he clarified that assumption by saying that 'My mother is Zimbabwean, while my father is from Malawi. I was born in Zimbabwe and grew up playing football in that country and came straight from that country when joining Wanderers. But my family, including my sisters, brothers and grandparents are in Malawi.' He has made one cap for Malawi in a friendly.
Alongside to Lwazi Maziya, the 180 cm-tall captain was named as assistant to Kenny Ndlazi of Manzini Wanderers F.C. in 2015. Still, the Swazi Football Coaches Association (SFCA) implored the Swaziland FA to revoke the hiring of them as they were 'unqualified players'.
Swaziland
Manzini Wanderers
Captain of Manzini Wanderers F.C. for over two seasons, he donned the number 4 jersey and had 'earned himself accolades as one of the best defenders in the local premier league' and was said to be 'good in the air defensively and offensively'. He scored his first goal in four years with the Maroon and Whites which increased their position to 4th.
Won the Swazi Charity Cup Best Player award, which was his first individual award in his career.
Applied for Swazi citizenship in 2013, having lived there for 10 years which was enough to procure Swazi citizenship. Left Manzini Sundowns F.C. in summer 2013 when the board decided to not renew his one-season contract by mutual assent.
Mbabane Swallows
Elias Tsabalaka left Mbabane Swallows and was deregistered from the club in early 2014.
Awards, Trophies & Achievements
- 1x Swazi Charity Cup Best Player (1)
- Swazi Premier League runners-up (2)