Teenage Lingani Hadebe
Teenage Lingani Hadebe was born on 17 September 1995 and is a Zimbabwean professional footballer who plays as a defender for Major League Soccer club FC Cincinnati. He also represents the Zimbabwe national team. Throughout his career, Hadebe has played for clubs across multiple continents, including teams in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Turkey, and the United States. His notable achievements include being named to the Süper Lig Team of the Season in 2019-20 and winning the U.S. Open Cup with Houston Dynamo in 2023.
Career Overview
Club Career
Bantu Rovers
Hadebe started his professional career with Bantu Rovers in 2012, making his debut as a 17-year-old. He played the 2012 and 2013 seasons with Bantu in Division One before moving to the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League in 2014. However, Bantu Rovers were relegated from the PSL that same year.
Highlanders
Following Bantu Rovers' relegation, Hadebe joined Highlanders in 2015 on a season-long loan. He helped the club finish 6th in the league table during his time there.
Chicken Inn
In January 2016, Hadebe moved to 2015 PSL champions Chicken Inn. During his time with the club, he helped them win the Zimbabwean Independence Trophy, defeating Highlanders in the final.
Kaizer Chiefs
Hadebe signed for South African Premier Division side Kaizer Chiefs in July 2017, having previously been on trial with the club in August 2016. He missed the first three months of the season due to an ankle injury sustained in pre-season. He made his debut on 22 November 2017 in a 0-0 draw with AmaZulu. His first goal came on 4 April 2018 in the 90+5th minute, securing a 1-0 away win over Free State Stars. He finished his first season with one goal in 13 league appearances, helping the team finish third in the Premier Division.
In the 2018-19 season, after missing the start due to injury, Hadebe made his first appearance on 1 September in a 1-0 loss to SuperSport United in the MTN 8 semifinals. He made 13 league appearances as Kaizer Chiefs finished ninth. The team reached the Nedbank Cup final but lost 1-0 to second-tier side TS Galaxy, with Hadebe making five appearances in the competition.
Yeni Malatyaspor
On 14 July 2019, Hadebe transferred to Turkish Süper Lig side Yeni Malatyaspor for an undisclosed fee. He made his debut on 25 July in a 2-2 draw with Olimpija Ljubljana in a Europa League qualifying match. His Süper Lig debut came on 18 August, where he recorded an assist in a 3-0 win over İstanbul Başakşehir.
During his first season, Hadebe faced challenges including passport issues that prevented his return to Turkey following an international break, causing him to miss two matches. He received a red card on 1 March 2020 for a dangerous foul in a 2-0 loss to Denizlispor, resulting in a three-match suspension. Despite the team finishing 16th, Hadebe was named to the Süper Lig Team of the Season with 23 appearances and one assist.
In the 2020-21 season, after missing the opener due to injury, Hadebe made his season debut on 18 September 2020 as a substitute in a 1-1 draw with Göztepe S.K. He scored his first goal for the club on 17 April in a 1-0 win against Alanyaspor. He finished with two goals and one assist from 30 appearances as the team finished 15th, earning five Süper Lig Team of the Week selections.
Houston Dynamo
Hadebe signed with Major League Soccer side Houston Dynamo as a Designated Player on 28 June 2021. He made his debut on 20 July against the Vancouver Whitecaps, starting alongside Tim Parker and keeping a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw. His first assist came on 11 September in a 3-0 win over Austin FC. After starting 17 consecutive matches, he missed the final four games due to an ankle injury, finishing with 17 appearances and one assist. Despite his individual success, earning Dynamo Defender of the Year and Newcomer of the Year awards, the team finished last in the Western Conference.
In 2022, Hadebe made his first appearance on 12 March as a late substitute in a 2-1 win against the Colorado Rapids. He scored his first Dynamo goal on 9 April in a 4-3 win over the San Jose Earthquakes. His most memorable moment came on 9 July when he scored in the 11th minute of stoppage time against FC Dallas, the latest non-penalty goal in MLS regular season history. He missed six games due to a left leg injury and finished with two goals in 27 regular season appearances.
Konyaspor
On 9 February 2024, Hadebe signed with Konyaspor in Turkey on a contract until the end of the season.
FC Cincinnati
Hadebe returned to Major League Soccer on 27 August 2024 by signing for FC Cincinnati.
National Team Career
Senior National Team
Hadebe made his debut for the Zimbabwe national team on 16 November 2014, playing the full 90 minutes in a 2-1 loss to Morocco in a friendly. He scored his first two international goals on 31 May 2016, securing a 2-0 win over Uganda.
He was included in Callisto Pasuwa's squad for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations on 4 January 2017, though he did not appear during the tournament. For the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, he was named to the squad by head coach Sunday Chidzambwa on 10 June 2019, playing every minute of Zimbabwe's three group stage games as they finished 4th in Group A.
On 29 December 2021, head coach Norman Mapeza included Hadebe in Zimbabwe's 2021 Africa Cup of Nations squad. He started the first two group stage matches but did not appear in the third game as Zimbabwe had already been eliminated.
Playing Style
Key Technical Characteristics
Hadebe is known for his defensive solidity and ability to contribute in crucial moments, as demonstrated by his late goals and important interventions throughout his career.
Strengths and Weaknesses
His main strengths include his aerial ability, defensive positioning, and capacity to score important goals from set pieces or late in matches. His career has been occasionally interrupted by injuries, particularly ankle problems.
Role in the Team
Hadebe typically plays as a center-back, forming partnerships with other defenders and providing stability to the defensive line. His experience across different leagues has made him a versatile defender capable of adapting to various tactical systems.
Achievements
Individual Achievements
| Club Name | Period | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bantu Rovers | 2012-2014 | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
| Highlanders | 2015 | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
| Chicken Inn | 2016 | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
| Kaizer Chiefs | 2017-2019 | 26 | 1 | Not specified |
| Yeni Malatyaspor | 2019-2021 | 53 | 2 | 2 |
| Houston Dynamo | 2021-2022 | 44 | 2 | 1 |
Team Honors
| Tournament | Club/National Team | Year | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwean Independence Trophy | Chicken Inn | 2016 | Winner |
| U.S. Open Cup | Houston Dynamo | 2023 | Winner |
Individual Awards
- Süper Lig Team of the Season: 2019-20
- Dynamo Defender of the Year: 2021
- Dynamo Newcomer of the Year: 2021
- Named to Süper Lig Team of the Week five times during 2020-21 season
- Named to MLS Team of the Week following his stoppage-time goal against FC Dallas
Memorable Milestones in Career
- Debut as a 17-year-old with Bantu Rovers in 2012
- First international goals in a 2-0 win over Uganda on 31 May 2016
- Scoring the latest non-penalty goal in MLS regular season history against FC Dallas on 9 July 2022
- Being named to the Süper Lig Team of the Season despite his team's poor performance
Personal Life
Interests Outside Football
Hadebe met his wife Mitchell Matambanashe in 2012 while they were both in school. Together, they have two sons and one daughter, indicating his strong family values and commitment to his personal relationships alongside his professional career.