Sithole scores on return to Portuguese domestic duties

by Staff Reporter

Monday Oct 20, 2025. 15:14

South Africa’s Sphephelo “Yaya” Sithole announced his return from international duty with a goal for CD Tondela in their 5-1 win over Vila Real in the third round of the Taça de Portugal at the Complexo Desportivo do Monte da Forca in Vila Real on Sunday.

CD Tondela, who play in the Portuguese top flight, eased past their opponents from the country’s fourth tier to stay alive in Portugal’s domestic knockout tournament.

The 26-year-old midfielder netted his side’s fifth and final goal of the day in the 84th minute, taking his goalscoring tally to two goals for the season.

Sithole started for Bafana Bafana against Zimbabwe and was substituted for Bathusi Aubaas at the start of the second half in South Africa’s 0-0 draw with Zimbabwe on 10 October.

He was then on the bench in Bafana Bafana’s 3-0 Rwanda on 14 October which saw South Africa clinch qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Sithole joined CD Tondela at the start of the 2023/24 season from B SAD and spent last season on loan at Gil Vicente in the Primeira Liga.

The South African international was recalled to the club upon its promotion to the Portuguese top flight at the end of the 2024/25 season.

CD Tondela sit in the relegation zone, second from the bottom with five points from 8 games after recording one win, two draws and five losses.

The club will face Liga 3 side Caldas S.C. in the fourth round of the Taça de Portugal on 23 November.

By Nic Gleeson