Mphahlele Reveals Emotional Reason He Left Sundowns for Chiefs
Former Mamelodi Sundowns defender Ramahlwe Mphahlele has revealed the deeply personal reason behind his decision to leave the club for Kaizer Chiefs, saying the move was driven not by football ambition, but by his determination to change his family’s future.
The 36-year-old recently brought the curtain down on a remarkable 20-year professional career, but one of the biggest decisions of his playing days came when he walked away from Sundowns.
For years, supporters may have viewed the move through the lens of football. Mphahlele has now revealed there was something far more important behind it.
During an emotional interview with Metro FM this week, the former Bafana Bafana defender struggled to contain his tears as messages from his mother, Ramatsobana Moshopiadi Mphahlele, and his children, Ofentse and Reitumetse, were played.
It was in that emotional moment that Mphahlele opened up about the burden he carried while building his career.
Mphahlele Wanted to Change His Family’s Life
Mphahlele said his decision to leave Sundowns was largely motivated by the financial needs of his family.
At the time, his sister wanted to attend university but could not afford the costs, while his brother was preparing to finish high school and also hoped to pursue higher education.
Mphahlele said his earnings at Sundowns were not enough to meet those responsibilities.
“A lot of people don’t know the reason I left Sundowns. My sister wanted to go to varsity. She didn’t have money,” he said.
“I wasn’t making that much. My brother was finishing high school and wanted to go to university.
“For me, I wanted to liberate my people. Hence, I made certain decisions in life.”
The footballer said his family circumstances left him feeling that he had to take responsibility.
His mother was unemployed and did not have a house, while he said his father was not supporting the family.
“I didn’t make decisions for me. I made them so that my people can have a better life,” Mphahlele said.
“Mom wasn’t working, Dad wasn’t supporting us, so I was the only option.”
The Chiefs Move Changed Everything
The move to Kaizer Chiefs provided Mphahlele with the financial stability he needed to support his family.
What may have looked like a career decision from the outside was, for him, a sacrifice made on behalf of the people closest to him.
And the sacrifice produced results.
Mphahlele revealed that his brother eventually completed a BCom degree, while his sister went on to become an electrical engineer.
“My brother finished his BCom, my sister is an electrical engineer. My heart is pure,” he said.
For Mphahlele, those achievements appear to represent something greater than personal success on a football pitch. They were evidence that the difficult choices he made had helped create opportunities for his family.
A Career Filled With Success
Mphahlele went on to build an impressive career that included spells with six Betway Premiership clubs.
His journey took him through Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs, Moroka Swallows, the University of Pretoria, AmaZulu and Orbit College.
He also represented Bafana Bafana 24 times between 2016 and 2025.
His trophy cabinet includes the 2009 Nedbank Cup with Moroka Swallows, two league titles with Sundowns and another Nedbank Cup triumph during the 2015/16 season.
He was also part of the Kaizer Chiefs side that reached the 2021 CAF Champions League final, where they were beaten 3-0 by Egyptian giants Al Ahly.
Those achievements helped define his career, but Mphahlele’s latest revelations offer another perspective on his journey.
Behind the Trophies Was a Family Mission
Football gave Mphahlele a platform, but his family gave him a purpose.
His decision to leave Sundowns was not simply about finding a better contract or pursuing another chapter in his career. It was, by his own account, about becoming the person his family needed at a crucial point in their lives.
Now retired, Mphahlele leaves the game with medals, international caps and memories from two decades in professional football.
But perhaps his proudest achievement is one that cannot be measured in trophies.
His brother became a graduate. His sister became an engineer. And the family he once felt responsible for helping now has a future shaped, in part, by the difficult choices he made.
For Mphahlele, the decision to leave Sundowns was never really about leaving football behind.
It was about making sure the people he loved could move forward.
