Former Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Tiyani Mabunda have officially traded the roaring sounds from football fans for the tranquil presence of the spirit by taking up his calling as a pastor.
A recent video circulating on the internet shows the 36-year-old serving his congregation at Prophet Sheppard Bushiri’s church in Pretoria while appearing to be extremely comfortable in his new surroundings.
Former Mamelodi Sundowns player Tiyani Mabunda is now a pastor at Sheppard Bushiri’s church in Pretoria. pic.twitter.com/HRjPvI4gbT
— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) March 31, 2024
With the video clip trending on social media, many users praised the former athlete with one person saying:
“He used to win matches, but now he is winning souls.”
Over the last few years, Tiyana has been quite vocal about his spiritual journey after having first pursued God during a time when he felt that his career was heading towards a downward spiral due to his lack of game time.
It was during this time that he and his fiancé headed to the Pretoria-based church where he received prayer and was fueled to re-ignite the confidence and passion he once had to improve his on-field performances.
View this post on Instagram
This later turned him back to receiving his former glory.
Despite his on-field success, however, in 2018 he received tons of criticism for his continuous praises of Sheppard Bushiri at his match press conferences.
In response, he explained that Bushiri’s prayers caused him to perform the way he did.
“I have come to know and understand God under his leadership. It was through his teachings, prayers and well wishes for me that I was able to get to this level in life,” he told news and entertainment publisher Sowetan Live at the time.
“As I speak to you, I have won the CAF Champions League with my team, won Man of the Match awards countless times and won the Absa Premiership.”
View this post on Instagram
Also see: Cassper Nyovest publicly announces that he committed his life to God
