Professional soccer analyst, Deric Thobejane.
By: Refilwe Sebola
Former Premier Soccer League club Magezi FC performance analyst Derick Thobejane is setting his sights on making his international analyst debut for local or international media outlets during the upcoming FIFA 2026 World Cup hosted in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
The 48-year-old independent soccer analyst is well-regarded in the industry and has been a frequent guest on the esteemed SABC sports analyst and commentator Connie Matjiepa’s Thobela FM sports show, where he demonstrates his professional and extensive experience in soccer analysis.
Born in Down Farm in the Lepelle Nkumbi Municipal area, Thobejane currently resides in Callies in Ga-Sekororo in the Maruleng area. His journey as an analyst began while coaching in 1992 during his school days.
Thobejane is a qualified CAF C license coaching certificate holder, who has accumulated years of experience in coaching, scouting, and physical conditioning of players. Before transitioning to soccer game analysis, he held coaching roles for teams such as Burgersdorp United and Julisburg Young Killers.
Thobejane’s passion for football was ignited by his brothers, Masihle and James Thobejane, who shared soccer magazines and watched local and international games, including the World Cup, with him.
The impetus to pursue professional soccer analysis was further fuelled by Zambian football analyst and journalist, Ponga Liwewe.
Thobejane’s skills were honed through a close relationship with the late Ted Dumitru, former director of coaching and philosopher, and Vladislav Heric, the current Venda FC coach.
Thobejane previously provided game analysis for PSL side Magezi during their tenure in the National First Division. However, he now aspires to analyze games for television, radio, or print media during the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
Thobejane is resolute in his belief that this dream will materialize, especially considering that the games will be televised by numerous media houses from within and outside the country.