At just 22, Thapelo Maseko has gone from playing barefoot on the dusty streets of Sebokeng to representing South Africa at the FIFA World Cup.
Here is everything you need to know about his net worth, salary, and career earnings.
Thapelo Maseko’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Thapelo Maseko |
| Date of Birth | November 11, 2003 |
| Age | 22 |
| Place of Birth | Sebokeng, Gauteng, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
| Weight | 66 kg |
| Position | Left Winger / Attacking Midfielder |
| Current Club | AEL Limassol (loan from Mamelodi Sundowns) |
| Turned Professional | 2021 |
| Net Worth | Estimated R5 million (~$270,000 USD) |
| Estimated Monthly Salary | R300,000–R400,000 (Mamelodi Sundowns) |
| Social Media | Instagram: @thapelo_maseko40 |
Early Life and Career
Thapelo Maseko grew up in Sebokeng, a township in Gauteng, South Africa — one of three players from the Vaal region selected for South Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad.
Like many young players from his area, he developed his skills on rough, uneven pitches with little formal coaching in his earliest years.
His formal football education began at Vaal Juventus FC, one of the better development clubs in the SAFA Sedibeng Regional League.
His former coach Isaac Mphasane spotted his talent early, noting that Maseko showed outstanding ability while playing under-13 football.
Mphasane would later highlight Maseko as part of his best-ever under-17 side, a group that won the prestigious Makgotamisha U17 Winter Tournament.
That performance caught the eye of SuperSport United, one of South Africa’s more progressive clubs for developing young talent, and Maseko joined their academy.
He progressed steadily through their youth setup, earning his place in the first team by the time he was 17. His natural instinct on the left wing — his ability to cut inside, carry the ball at pace, and find teammates in tight spaces — made him a difficult player to ignore.
He also represented South Africa at youth level, featuring for the South Africa U23 side before stepping up to the senior national team setup under head coach Hugo Broos.
Professional Career
Maseko made his senior debut for SuperSport United in 2021 and quickly established himself as one of the most exciting young wingers in the Premier Soccer League.
According to Transfermarkt’s career profile for Maseko, he made 34 appearances for the Pretoria club, contributing four goals and two assists before the club was dissolved.
His performances — particularly during the 2022–23 DStv Premiership season, where SuperSport finished third — attracted serious attention from European clubs.
Belgian top-flight side KVC Westerlo made three separate offers for the winger, all of which were rejected. Instead, in July 2023, Maseko signed for Mamelodi Sundowns, the record 13-time winners of the South African Premier Division.
His impact at Sundowns was immediate and spectacular. Maseko scored the semi-final winner against Al Ahly in the inaugural African Football League and went on to win both the Best Player and Top Scorer awards in the competition.
He also appeared in the 2023 COSAFA Cup and was part of the Bafana Bafana squad that won a bronze medal at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, scoring his first international goal in a 4-0 group-stage win over Namibia.
However, injury disrupted his momentum. He struggled to reclaim consistent minutes at Sundowns under head coach Miguel Cardoso, making just seven appearances across all competitions in the first half of the 2025–26 season.
In January 2026, he joined Cypriot club AEL Limassol on loan, where he featured in 15 of 19 possible matches and contributed two goals and one assist — form that was enough to earn him a place in South Africa’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as confirmed by FIFA’s official tournament page.
Coach Hugo Broos was direct about why Maseko earned his call-up: “Maseko is doing very well in Cyprus, so he was already with us before. I was very happy with what I saw from him — it’s also the reason why he is with us.”
Maseko has now earned 7 senior caps for Bafana Bafana and holds a market value of €750,000 according to Transfermarkt.
Thapelo Maseko’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Thapelo Maseko’s has an estimated net worth of R5 million (approximately $270,000 USD).
He built this wealth primarily through his PSL contracts with SuperSport United and Mamelodi Sundowns, along with his current loan deal in Cyprus.
Contract
Maseko’s primary contract runs with Mamelodi Sundowns, where he has been registered since July 2023. His current European chapter is a loan arrangement with AEL Limassol in Cyprus, which began on January 20, 2026.
According to Transfermarkt, the loan is set to expire on May 31, 2026, after which he returns to Sundowns.
Reports from iDiski Times indicate that AEL Limassol are in active talks with Sundowns regarding a potential permanent transfer — a move that would significantly increase his earnings.
Salary
PSL clubs do not publicly disclose player salaries, but figures from within the South African football industry suggest Maseko earns in the region of R300,000 to R400,000 per month at Mamelodi Sundowns — consistent with what the club pays promising young players at his level.
Based on analysis published by Afrik-foot’s PSL salary guide, his pay scale aligns with Sundowns’ broader wage structure for developing squad members.
His loan fee at AEL Limassol is not publicly disclosed. Transfermarkt records that the loan was arranged without a transfer fee.
Career Earnings By Season
| Season | Club | Estimated Monthly Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | SuperSport United | ~R80,000–R120,000 | Debut season |
| 2022/23 | SuperSport United | ~R100,000–R150,000 | Broke through as key player |
| 2023/24 | Mamelodi Sundowns | ~R300,000–R400,000 | AFL Best Player; PSL winner |
| 2024/25 | Mamelodi Sundowns | ~R300,000–R400,000 | PSL winner; injury disruptions |
| 2025/26 | AEL Limassol (loan) | Undisclosed | 15 appearances, 2 goals |
Career Statistics
| Club / Team | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| SuperSport United | 34 | 4 | 2 |
| Mamelodi Sundowns | 45 | 3 | 1 |
| AEL Limassol (loan) | 15 | 2 | 1 |
| South Africa (Senior) | 7 | 1 | — |
FAQs
What is Thapelo Maseko’s net worth?
Thapelo Maseko’s net worth is estimated at R5 million (around $270,000 USD). He earned this through PSL contracts with SuperSport United and Mamelodi Sundowns, plus his current loan spell in Cyprus.
How much does Thapelo Maseko earn per month?
Based on industry estimates, Maseko earns approximately R300,000 to R400,000 per month at Mamelodi Sundowns. His earnings at AEL Limassol during his loan have not been publicly disclosed.
Which clubs has Thapelo Maseko played for?
He has played for SuperSport United (2021–2023), Mamelodi Sundowns (2023–present), and AEL Limassol on loan from January 2026. He is also a capped member of the South Africa national team.
Is Thapelo Maseko going to the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Yes. South Africa head coach Hugo Broos named Maseko in his 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. He earned his call-up after strong performances during his loan spell at AEL Limassol in Cyprus.
What trophies has Thapelo Maseko won?
He has won the African Football League (2023), the South African Premier Division with Mamelodi Sundowns in 2023/24 and 2024/25, and a bronze medal with Bafana Bafana at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. He was also named Best Player and Top Scorer at the inaugural African Football League.
