Samukele Kabini is one of South African football’s most exciting young exports.
At just 22 years old, he plays for Norwegian top-flight club Molde FK, earns a European salary, and has earned a spot in Bafana Bafana’s FIFA World Cup squad.
If you’re wondering about Samukele Kabini’s net worth, salary, and how he built his career from the Orlando Pirates academy to the Eliteserien, this article covers it all.
Samukele Kabini’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Samukele Alucious Kabini |
| Date of Birth | 15 March 2004 |
| Age | 22 years old |
| Nationality | South African |
| Height | 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in) |
| Weight | 79 kg |
| Position | Defender (Left-Back / Centre-Back) |
| Current Club | Molde FK (Eliteserien, Norway) |
| Squad Number | #26 |
| Turned Professional | 2023 (TS Galaxy FC) |
| Estimated Net Worth | $400,000 |
| Transfer Fee (Molde, 2025) | R15 million (~€760,000) |
| Contract Expiry | 31 December 2028 |
| Preferred Foot | Left |
| International Career | South Africa (Bafana Bafana), 2025– |
Early Life & Career
Samukele Alucious Kabini was born on 15 March 2004 in South Africa. While the specific town of his birth has not been publicly confirmed, Kabini grew up immersed in football from a young age and quickly caught the eye of one of the country’s biggest clubs.
He joined the Orlando Pirates youth academy, where he developed into a technically capable and physically imposing defender. Kabini became a key figure in the Pirates PSL Reserve League squad and was reportedly on the verge of promotion to the senior setup.
His performances were so impressive that TS Galaxy FC moved to recruit him before Orlando Pirates could complete the transition.
Kabini has spoken publicly about modeling his game after Austrian legend David Alaba — a player celebrated for his versatility, left-footed quality, and ability to play across defensive positions.
That influence is visible in Kabini’s own game: comfortable with the ball, strong in duels, and capable of playing left-back or centre-back depending on team needs.
His technical development through the Orlando Pirates youth system gave him the tactical grounding that would eventually take him to Europe.
Professional Career
Kabini made his senior professional debut with TS Galaxy FC in the 2023–24 Betway Premiership season.
As noted in his career statistics on FBref, he made 13 league appearances in that first campaign, contributing two assists. He quickly became a reliable starter for the Mpumalanga-based club.
His second season with TS Galaxy was even more impressive. Kabini featured in 19 Betway Premiership matches, scoring three goals and recording one assist — an exceptional return for a defender.
His performances helped Galaxy finish fourth in the PSL table. One of his goals, a composed left-footed finish against Cape Town City, showcased exactly the quality that had European scouts paying attention.
By March 2025, Norwegian Eliteserien giants Molde FK — the club that helped launch Erling Haaland’s career — confirmed his signing.
As reported by Goal.com South Africa, Molde paid a reported R15 million transfer fee, which represented a record sale for TS Galaxy.
Kabini became Molde’s first-ever South African player and quickly made history on the pitch, scoring in a 4–0 Eliteserien victory over Brann in November 2025. He made 18 league appearances in his debut Eliteserien season, registering 1 goal and 3 assists.
At international level, Kabini earned his first senior Bafana Bafana cap in 2025 and was part of the squad that achieved automatic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by topping their African qualifying group.
Crucially, he was named in head coach Hugo Broos’s final 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada — the biggest stage of his young career.
Samukele Kabini’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Samukele Kabini’s has an estimated net worth of $400,000.
He built this wealth through his professional football contracts in South Africa’s Premier Soccer League with TS Galaxy FC and his current deal with Norwegian Eliteserien side Molde FK, supplemented by a record transfer fee that signaled his market value to the wider game.
Contract
Kabini signed a contract with Molde FK on 20 March 2025 that runs until 31 December 2028 — a deal spanning roughly four seasons.
As confirmed by Molde FK’s official announcement, the agreement ties him to the club through the 2028 season, giving both player and club stability during what is a critical phase of his development.
The contract was reported to be worth approximately €760,000 in transfer fees to TS Galaxy, with Kabini’s personal terms reflecting his status as a first-team squad player in the Eliteserien.
He previously snubbed interest from Kaizer Chiefs to make the move to Norway, a decision that has clearly paid off given his World Cup selection.
Salary
Kabini’s estimated salary at Molde FK sits at approximately €6,250 per week (gross), which translates to roughly €325,000 per year before taxes and bonuses.
Norwegian Eliteserien clubs are not required to publish individual salary figures, so this figure is an informed estimate based on comparable Eliteserien transfer profiles tracked by Transfermarkt.
His Transfermarkt market valuation currently stands at €2.0 million, a significant increase from the €250,000 valuation he carried when he first moved to Norway.
Prior to the Molde move, his salary at TS Galaxy would have been substantially lower, in line with the PSL’s typical wage structure for younger players.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Club | Estimated Annual Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 2023–24 | TS Galaxy FC (PSL) | ~$25,000 |
| 2024–25 | TS Galaxy FC (PSL) | ~$35,000 |
| 2025 | Molde FK (Eliteserien) | ~$280,000 |
| 2026 | Molde FK (Eliteserien) | ~$350,000 |
Career Statistics
| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023–24 | TS Galaxy FC | Betway Premiership | 13 | 0 | 2 |
| 2024–25 | TS Galaxy FC | Betway Premiership | 19 | 3 | 1 |
| 2025 | Molde FK | Eliteserien | 18 | 1 | 3 |
| 2026 | Molde FK | Eliteserien | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Total (Senior) | 52 | 4 | 6 |
Cup Appearances
| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023–24 | TS Galaxy FC | Nedbank Cup | 2 | 0 |
| 2024 | TS Galaxy FC | MTN 8 Cup | 1 | 0 |
| 2024–25 | TS Galaxy FC | Nedbank Cup | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | Molde FK | NM Cup | 2 | 1 |
| 2025–26 | Molde FK | NM Cup | 2 | 0 |
International Career
| Year | Team | Competition | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | South Africa | AFCON | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | South Africa | Friendlies | 2 | 0 |
| 2026 | South Africa | World Cup Qualification | 1 | 0 |
| 2026 | South Africa | Friendly | 1 | 0 |
FAQs
What is Samukele Kabini’s net worth?
Samukele Kabini’s estimated net worth is approximately $400,000, built through his professional contracts at TS Galaxy in South Africa and his current deal at Molde FK in Norway, where he earns around €6,250 per week.
How much did Molde FK pay for Samukele Kabini?
Molde FK paid a reported R15 million (approximately €760,000) to TS Galaxy for Kabini in March 2025. The transfer was TS Galaxy’s record sale and made Kabini one of the most notable young South Africans to move to European football that year.
Is Samukele Kabini in the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad?
Yes. Samukele Kabini is part of South Africa’s official 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, selected by head coach Hugo Broos. He provides left-back cover behind Aubrey Modiba.
What clubs has Samukele Kabini played for?
Kabini developed through the Orlando Pirates youth academy before joining TS Galaxy FC for his senior debut in 2023. He moved to Norwegian Eliteserien club Molde FK in March 2025 on a contract running until December 2028.
What is Samukele Kabini’s Transfermarkt market value?
Transfermarkt values Samukele Kabini at €2.0 million — a significant rise from the €250,000 valuation he carried when he first transferred to Norway.
