What REALLY Happened to SIYABONGA ZULU? FULL STORY | Gogo Maweni’s Baby Daddy & Former Sundowns Star
Once hailed as one of South African football’s rising stars, Siyabonga Zulu’s fall from grace has left fans, former teammates, and the public asking one burning question — what really happened to him?
Siyabonga Zulu’s name was once synonymous with promise.
A talented left-back with speed, confidence, and tactical awareness, Zulu made his way through the ranks and ultimately signed with one of the country’s top clubs, Mamelodi Sundowns.
He was a player destined for greatness, a consistent performer who earned national team call-ups and impressed both fans and coaches with his dedication and work ethic.
But almost as quickly as he rose to fame, Zulu disappeared from the spotlight, leaving behind a trail of rumors, controversy, and heartbreak.
His last major stint was at Sundowns, where he was expected to cement his place and perhaps even take his career to greater heights.
But things didn’t go as planned.
Whispers began to emerge of off-field issues, late arrivals at training, and concerns over his discipline.
While the club never officially disclosed the reasons for his release, insiders claimed that his attitude and personal life began to affect his professional performance.
Siyabonga Zulu was released from Sundowns in 2019, and from that moment on, his career took a sharp nosedive.
Shortly after his departure from the PSL giants, reports began circulating that Zulu was struggling to find a new club.
Despite his talent, no top-tier team was willing to take the risk, especially given his growing reputation for being unpredictable off the field.
He eventually signed short-term deals with smaller clubs, but the sparkle of his earlier career was fading fast.
Financial difficulties soon followed, and with them came a level of public scrutiny that few footballers are prepared for.
In the midst of his football decline, Siyabonga Zulu’s name re-entered the headlines — not for his performances, but for his personal life.
He was revealed to be the father of one of Gogo Maweni’s children.
Gogo Maweni, a well-known traditional healer and reality TV personality, confirmed publicly that she had a child with Zulu and suggested that their relationship had ended badly.
In a now-viral interview, she alleged that Zulu had failed to live up to his responsibilities as a father and that their relationship had been filled with drama and emotional strain.
This revelation stunned many.
Gogo Maweni’s larger-than-life public persona and her past connections to controversial figures made the story instantly viral.
Speculation grew that spiritual warfare might have played a part in Zulu’s fall from the football world.
While Maweni never outright claimed to have cast spells or cursed Zulu, the insinuations were enough to spark widespread debate.
Some fans even joked online that his career “vanished overnight,” linking the end of his football success to his fallout with the sangoma.
In response to the attention, Zulu remained mostly silent.
He avoided interviews, stayed off social media, and rarely made public appearances.
The man who once filled stadiums and featured in national headlines had seemingly vanished.
Friends and former colleagues have described him as withdrawn and emotionally distant, with some expressing concern for his wellbeing.
There were brief sightings and reports that he had attempted to make a comeback, training on his own and reaching out to clubs.
But nothing materialized.
As of today, Zulu is no longer affiliated with any professional team, and there are no signs of an official return to the PSL.
Many in the football community have expressed their disappointment.
Coaches and former teammates who saw his potential believe that Zulu’s downfall could have been prevented with the right mentorship and support.
They speak of a player who had all the tools to succeed but lacked guidance during crucial moments.
They also acknowledge the harsh realities faced by young footballers in South Africa, where fame can come quickly — and disappear even faster.
Meanwhile, public opinion remains divided.
Some blame Zulu entirely for his own downfall, pointing to his behavior and lack of professionalism.
Others believe that the media circus surrounding his personal life, particularly the Gogo Maweni saga, contributed to his mental and emotional decline.
There are even those who still hope to see him return, believing that with the right help, redemption is possible.
What’s certain is that Siyabonga Zulu’s story is one filled with talent, temptation, and turmoil.
It’s a reminder of how fragile a footballer’s career can be, especially when personal demons are left unaddressed.
His rise was fast, his fall was dramatic, and the silence that followed has only made the story more tragic.
As of now, Zulu remains out of the professional football scene.
He is living a quiet life, far removed from the fame and glamour that once surrounded him.
Whether he will ever return to the game remains uncertain.
But his story will continue to be a cautionary tale in South African sport — one that shows just how quickly everything can change, and how difficult it is to bounce back once it does.