Thapelo Maseko

Thapelo Maseko (born 11 November 2003) is a South African professional Association football player who plays as a forward for Copenhagen in the Danish Superliga and the South Africa national team.

Club career

Maseko is a youth product of SuperSport United F.C., where he started his professional career. He impressed during the 2022–23 season, as he helped SuperSport to a third-place finish in the South African top league.

Mamelodi Sundowns In June 2023, he signed for the Mamelodi Sundowns, the record 13 time-winners of the Premier League. He played a fundamental role in the team that won the first African Football League in 2023, most notably scoring the only goal of the two semi-final legs against Al Ahly. He was the best player and top goal scorer of the competition.

AEL Limassol He was loaned to Cypriot First Division side AEL Limassol for the rest of the 2025/26 season in the January transfer. He became th first player from the Cypriot League to score at a FIFA World Cup in 2026.

F.C. Copenhagen In August 2026 he signed for Danish Superliga side F.C. Copenhagen on a three-year loan for a fee of R28 million (€1.5million).

International career

Maseko is an international for South Africa, having played the 2022 COSAFA Cup. In January 2024, he was selected with South Africa for the 2023 AFCON.

On 28 May 2026, he was selected by manager Hugo Broos to represent his nation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

He scored the winning goal and was named Man of the Match in a 1–0 victory over South Korea in the third group-stage match, securing his country's first-ever qualification for the World Cup knockout stage. At 22 years and 225 days, he became the second-youngest World Cup goalscorer in South Africa's history, behind only Benni McCarthy.

Career statistics Club

International

Scores and results list South Africa's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Maseko goal.

Honours Mamelodi Sundowns African Football League: 2023 South African Premiership: 2023-24; 2024-25

South Africa Africa Cup of Nations third place: 2023

Individual African Football League Best Player: 2023 African Football League Top Goalscorer: 2023