Sphephelo “Yaya” Sithole is one of South Africa’s most dependable midfielders — a player whose quiet consistency has earned him a place at the FIFA World Cup.
This article covers his net worth, salary, contract details, career earnings, and everything you need to know about his journey from Ulundi to Portugal.
Sphephelo Sithole’s Biography
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sphephelo S’Miso Sithole |
| Nickname | Yaya |
| Date of Birth | 3 March 1999 |
| Age | 27 |
| Birthplace | Ulundi, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Height | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) |
| Weight | 79 kg |
| Position | Central / Defensive Midfielder |
| Current Club | CD Tondela |
| Shirt Number | 15 |
| Turned Professional | 2019 (Belenenses SAD) |
| Net Worth | Approx. $300,000 |
| Social Media | Instagram: @yaya_sithole_42 |
Early Life and Career
Sphephelo Sithole grew up in Ulundi, a small town in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, where football ran deep in his family.
As he told KICK OFF magazine, football was something that was really important in his family for as long as he could remember, with relatives playing the game — though just for local amateur teams.
Sithole was discovered by the Durban-based KZN Football Academy at the age of 13 in 2014, after a scouting drive led by Paulo Cardoso — the same man who had discovered a 12-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo.
Cardoso coached Sithole at the KwaZulu-Natal footballing school for its first two years before returning to head Sporting Lisbon’s youth academy.
Between 2015 and 2016, Sithole honed his craft with the South African under-17 national team, gaining international exposure early in his development.
He joined the Sporting CP U19 team in Portugal in 2017, then moved to Vitória Setúbal’s U23 setup in 2018–2019, steadily building a profile in European youth football.
That relentless progression — from Ulundi to Lisbon as a teenager — speaks to both his talent and his willingness to sacrifice comfort for growth.
Professional Career
Sithole began his senior career with Belenenses SAD in 2019, where he made his Primeira Liga debut and accumulated over 50 appearances across three seasons in Portugal’s top flight and second tier, primarily contributing as a defensive presence with notable assist tallies in the 2020–21 and 2021–22 campaigns.
On 11 July 2023, following B-SAD’s relegation, Sithole signed a two-year contract with CD Tondela.
On 22 July 2024, he then joined Primeira Liga club Gil Vicente on a season-long loan deal with the option to purchase. He returned to Tondela after the loan spell and immediately reclaimed his starting role.
In the 2025/2026 Liga Portugal season, Sithole has recorded 1 goal, 0 assists, and 1,541 minutes of action.
On the international stage, Sithole made his Bafana Bafana debut on 9 June 2022 in a 2-1 defeat to Morocco in an AFCON qualifier.
He went on to represent South Africa at the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast, where his role doing the dirty work and creating space for others, including Teboho Mokoena, was praised by Bafana legends as crucial but underappreciated.
His senior international record now stands at 28 caps, and Hugo Broos selected him for South Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad — the country’s first World Cup appearance in 16 years.
Sphephelo Sithole’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Sphephelo Sithole’s has an estimated net worth of approximately $300,000.
He has built this wealth through professional contracts in Portugal, primarily during his years at Belenenses SAD and his current spell at CD Tondela. His salary remains undisclosed, but his market value and career earnings provide a realistic basis for this estimate.
Contract
Sphephelo Sithole currently plays for CD Tondela, with his contract information running through 30 June 2027.
He returned to the club after his loan stint at Gil Vicente and has been a key figure in Tondela’s midfield during the 2025/26 Liga Portugal campaign.
He originally signed a two-year deal with Tondela on 11 July 2023, which was subsequently extended. The financial terms of his Tondela contract have not been made public.
Salary
Sithole’s annual salary at CD Tondela has not been officially disclosed. According to Capology, the footballer has earned around $213,228 gross during his playing career up to mid-2024. Details of his annual salary at Tondela FC remain undisclosed.
For context, salaries in Portugal’s Liga Portugal 2 typically range between €60,000 and €200,000 per year for established first-team players.
Given Sithole’s role as a regular starter and his international profile, his annual earnings at Tondela are estimated in the range of €100,000–€150,000 per year.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Club | Competition | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019/20 | Belenenses SAD | Primeira Liga | Professional debut season |
| 2020/21 | Belenenses SAD | Primeira Liga | 25 appearances |
| 2021/22 | Belenenses SAD | Primeira Liga | 25 appearances |
| 2022/23 | Belenenses SAD | Liga Portugal 2 | 20 appearances |
| 2023/24 | CD Tondela | Liga Portugal 2 | 22 appearances |
| 2024/25 | Gil Vicente (loan) | Primeira Liga | 2 appearances (injury-disrupted) |
| 2025/26 | CD Tondela | Liga Portugal | 26 appearances, 1 goal |
Career Statistics
| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019/20 | Belenenses SAD | Primeira Liga | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020/21 | Belenenses SAD | Primeira Liga | 25 | 0 | 7 |
| 2021/22 | Belenenses SAD | Primeira Liga | 25 | 0 | 9 |
| 2022/23 | Belenenses SAD | Liga Portugal 2 | 20 | 0 | 4 |
| 2023/24 | CD Tondela | Liga Portugal 2 | 22 | 0 | 7 |
| 2024/25 | Gil Vicente (loan) | Primeira Liga | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025/26 | CD Tondela | Liga Portugal | 26 | 1 | 0 |
| Total (Club) | 121 | 1 | 27 | ||
| International | South Africa | AFCON / WCQ / Friendlies | 28 | — | — |
FAQs
What is Sphephelo Sithole’s net worth?
Sithole’s net worth is estimated at approximately $300,000. He earned the bulk of this through professional contracts at Belenenses SAD and CD Tondela in Portugal.
What club does Sphephelo Sithole play?
He plays for CD Tondela in Liga Portugal. He returned to the club in 2025 after a season-long loan at Gil Vicente and has been a regular starter since.
How many caps has Sphephelo Sithole earned for South Africa?
Sithole has earned 28 senior caps for South Africa’s Bafana Bafana. He made his international debut on 9 June 2022 against Morocco in an AFCON qualifier.
Why is Sphephelo Sithole called “Yaya”?
Fans nicknamed him “Yaya” because of his playing style, which resembles that of former Ivory Coast and Manchester City midfielder Yaya Touré.
Is Sphephelo Sithole part of South Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad?
Yes. Hugo Broos selected him for South Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad, marking Bafana Bafana’s return to the tournament for the first time in 16 years.
