Tiyani Mabunda: Former Mamelodi Sundowns Continues Prophet Bushiri’s Work As Pastor of ECG Church

• Tiyani Mabunda has become a Pastor after retiring from professional football in 2021
• Mabunda used to play for Mamelodi Sundowns and credits his success to Prophet Bushiri
• Shepherd Bushiri is the founder of the Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) Church

While many football players get into coaching or remain in the game in some form, Tiyani Mabunda has gone down an entirely different path.

The former Mamelodi Sundowns player, who retired in 2021, has since become a Pastor.

As noted by Times LIVE, the former midfielder has been appointed the resident Pastor in Pretoria for Prophet Shepherd Bushiri’s church.

He was spotted leading a church service over the Easter weekend, where he continued to show support for the embattled Prophet.

A detailed list of footballers who have converted to Islam

Football

What happened to Prophet Bushiri?

Bushiri, the founder of the Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) Church, is currently in Malawi with his wife.

He fled South Africa after he was released on bail following his arrest on charges of money laundering, fraud and theft.

Bushiri has since accused police of asking for a bribe and claimed that he was arrested only because he was a foreigner and his ministry was getting bigger, IOL noted.

Mabunda’s devotion to Prophet Bushiri

While the former Masandawana midfielder focused more of his time on the church following his retirement, he was a fan of Bushiri long before that.

In 2018, he praised the Prophet for helping revive his career, saying that doctors told him he would have to undergo surgery, but through Bushiri’s prayers, he was a first-team player again.

He made the comments after many fans questioned why he always thanked the Malawian religious leader in his Man of the Match speeches, Sowetan LIVE noted.

A list of Muslim footballers who converted to Christianity

Football

"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."

Amokachi sleeps at church altar

Mabunda wasn’t the only player who believed that miracles could happen at a church of an influential Prophet.

Sports Brief previously reported how Daniel Amokachi slept at the altar of a church, hoping for a miracle.

Amokachi confirmed that he slept at the altar of Prophet T.B. Joshua's church, The Synagogue Church of All Nations.