Malibongwe Khoza is one of South African football’s most exciting young defenders.
At just 22 years old, the Mamelodi Sundowns centre-back has already earned senior PSL appearances, a CAF Champions League goal, a Bafana Bafana call-up, and interest from French Ligue 1 club Stade Rennes.
This article covers everything you need to know about Malibongwe Khoza’s net worth, including his salary, contract details, career earnings, and what makes him one of the most valuable young players in African football right now.
Malibongwe Khoza’s Biography
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Malibongwe Prince Khoza |
| Date of Birth | March 16, 2004 |
| Age | 22 years old |
| Place of Birth | Mamelodi, Gauteng, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Height | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) |
| Weight | 75 kg |
| Position | Centre-Back (Defender) |
| Current Club | Mamelodi Sundowns FC |
| Turned Professional | August 2024 |
| Estimated Net Worth | ~$150,000–$180,000 USD |
| Estimated Monthly Salary | R80,000–R130,000 ZAR (est.) |
| Relationship Status | N/A |
Early Life & Career
Malibongwe Prince Khoza was born on March 16, 2004, in Mamelodi, Gauteng — a township in the east of Pretoria and also the birthplace of the club he would grow up to represent.
Growing up in the shadow of Mamelodi Sundowns’ home ground, football was a natural passion.
At the age of 12, Khoza joined the Mamelodi Sundowns youth academy, entering at the Under-13 level. What followed was a decade-long journey through the club’s development structures, one of the longest academy tenures of any current Sundowns player.
He progressed steadily through the age groups — Under-15, Under-17, and eventually the DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) reserve team — developing his skills as a ball-playing centre-back under the club’s well-regarded youth coaching staff.
The 2023/24 DDC season proved a turning point. Khoza delivered standout performances for the Sundowns reserve side, scoring three goals and earning a reputation as a leader both on and off the pitch.
He described that campaign as one of the best of his career, crediting the team’s unity despite being a new group.
His reward came during the mid-season training camp in Polokwane, where he trained alongside first-team players including experienced defender Rivaldo Coetzee — an experience he says changed his game significantly.
Professional Career
Mamelodi Sundowns officially promoted Malibongwe Khoza to the senior squad in August 2024. His transition to the first team was seamless.
In his debut season, he made 18 Betway Premiership appearances, eight CAF Champions League outings — including a goal — and featured in domestic cup competitions, totalling over 30 appearances across all competitions.
He wore the No. 2 shirt and was deployed almost exclusively as a centre-back, despite having played as a holding midfielder in the DDC.
His performances caught the attention of South African football beyond just the PSL.
Khoza was selected for Bafana Bafana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, earning his first senior national team call-up ahead of crucial matches against Zimbabwe and Rwanda in October 2025.
He described the call-up as “early,” saying he hadn’t expected it to come so soon.
He also represented South Africa at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in 2025, where Sundowns deliberately released him to gain international experience and regular game time.
Coach Miguel Cardoso confirmed the plan: the club wanted Khoza to develop his confidence by playing regularly at international level, with the understanding that he is a centre-back by nature, even if the CHAN coaches used him in midfield.
Khoza had attracted the attention of French Ligue 1 club Stade Rennes, with multiple reports from Soccer Laduma and The South African confirming that Rennes scouts were tracking him.
Sundowns reportedly placed a valuation of around R35 million (~$1.9 million USD) on the player, with a resale clause also under discussion. The transfer had not been confirmed as of the time of writing.
In the 2024/25 Betway Premiership season, Sundowns claimed the league title, with Khoza listed as a 2024-25 South African Premiership Champion on his FBref profile.
In the 2025/26 season, limited game time has put his place in the matchday squad under review, though he remains highly regarded by the club’s hierarchy.
Malibongwe Khoza’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Malibongwe Khoza’s has an estimated net worth of approximately $150,000–$180,000 USD (roughly R2.7–R3.2 million ZAR).
He built this wealth primarily through his professional contract at Mamelodi Sundowns, where he has been on the senior payroll since August 2024.
Contract
Khoza signed a long-term contract with Mamelodi Sundowns shortly after his promotion to the first team.
According to Soccer Laduma’s reporting, insiders close to the club indicated he signed a five-year deal running until June 2029, with the club treating it as a concluded agreement.
Later reports described a four-year deal with an additional one-year option, also running to at least June 2029. Either way, Sundowns tied him down on a long-term basis, reflecting their belief in him as a cornerstone of the club’s defensive future.
The contract reportedly includes performance-related clauses, and should a European transfer materialise, Sundowns plan to include a resale or sell-on clause that would entitle them to a percentage of any future fee paid by a European club.
Salary
Malibongwe Khoza’s exact salary has not been officially disclosed by Mamelodi Sundowns. As a young academy graduate transitioning to senior professional status, his earnings fall into the entry-to-mid-level tier for PSL players.
According to salary benchmarks for the Premier Soccer League in South Africa, mid-level PSL players typically earn between R100,000 and R300,000 per month, while top earners at Sundowns command R400,000 and above.
Given Khoza’s youth, his status as a recent promotion from the reserves, and his growing but still developing first-team role, a salary estimate of R80,000–R130,000 per month is a realistic reflection of where he sits in the club’s pay structure.
This figure is an estimate based on PSL pay grades and his profile — Sundowns have not confirmed individual player salaries.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Club | Level | Est. Monthly Salary | Est. Annual Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023/24 | Mamelodi Sundowns U23 | DDC (Reserve) | ~R15,000–R25,000 | ~R180,000–R300,000 |
| 2024/25 | Mamelodi Sundowns | Senior (PSL, CAF) | ~R80,000–R100,000 | ~R960,000–R1,200,000 |
| 2025/26 | Mamelodi Sundowns | Senior (PSL) | ~R100,000–R130,000 | ~R1,200,000–R1,560,000 |
Career Statistics
| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023/24 | Mamelodi Sundowns U23 | DStv Diski Challenge | 1 | — | — |
| 2024/25 | Mamelodi Sundowns | Betway Premiership | 18 | 0 | 1 |
| 2024/25 | Mamelodi Sundowns | CAF Champions League | 8 | 1 | 1 |
| 2024/25 | Mamelodi Sundowns | Nedbank Cup | 2 | 1 | — |
| 2024/25 | Mamelodi Sundowns | Carling Knockout | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025/26 | Mamelodi Sundowns | Betway Premiership | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025/26 | Mamelodi Sundowns | Nedbank Cup | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | Mamelodi Sundowns | Carling Knockout | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Total (Senior) | All Competitions | ~39 | 3 | 2 |
International Career
| Year | Team | Competition | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | South Africa | African Nations Championship (CHAN) | 4 | 0 |
| 2025 | South Africa | 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers | Called up | — |
FAQs
What is Malibongwe Khoza’s net worth?
His estimated net worth is approximately $150,000–$180,000 USD. He built this through his senior contract at Mamelodi Sundowns, where he has been a first-team player since August 2024.
What club does Malibongwe Khoza play for?
He plays for Mamelodi Sundowns FC in the South African Betway Premiership. He has been with the club since age 12 and officially joined the senior team.
What is Malibongwe Khoza’s salary at Mamelodi Sundowns?
His monthly earnings are estimated at R80,000–R130,000 ZAR, reflecting his status as a young, emerging first-team player at one of Africa’s top clubs.
Has Malibongwe Khoza played for Bafana Bafana?
Yes. He received his first senior Bafana Bafana call-up in October 2025 for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Rwanda. He also represented South Africa at the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
Is Malibongwe Khoza moving to Europe?
French Ligue 1 club Stade Rennes was reported to be closely monitoring Khoza, with Soccer Laduma reporting an offer in the region of R25–R35 million was being considered. Sundowns indicated they would not stand in his way if the right deal came.
