Ace Ntsoelengoe
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Patrick Pule Zolile Ntsoelengoe | ||
| Date of birth | February 26, 1952 | ||
| Place of birth | Randfontein, South Africa | ||
| Date of death | May 8, 2006 (aged 54) | ||
| Place of death | Lenasia, Gauteng, South Africa | ||
| Playing position | Striker, Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Powerlines | |||
| 1968 | Mohlakeng Home Stars | ||
| 1969–1970 | Kaizer XI | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1971–1988 | Kaizer Chiefs | 542 | (250) |
| 1973 | Miami Toros | 9 | (3) |
| 1975 | Denver Dynamos | 21 | (10) |
| 1976–1981 | Minnesota Kicks | 155 | (50) |
| 1979–1980 | Minnesota Kicks (indoor) | 5 | (2) |
| 1982–1984 | Toronto Blizzard | 59 | (23) |
| Total | 791 | (338) | |
| National team | |||
| 1977 | South Africa | ||
| Teams managed | |||
| 1985 | Ace's Mates | ||
| 1997 | South Africa U-23 | ||
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. |
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Patrick Pule "Ace" Ntsoelengoe (26 February 1952 – 8 May 2006) was a South African football (soccer) player who is widely considered as one of the greatest the country has ever produced.
Ntsoelengoe was born to Daniel Ndimande and Margaret Ntsoelengoe. Ntsoelengoe did not grow up with his parents, his parents were not yet married when he was born, hence the Ntsoelengoe surname, he was raised by his grandmother. His parents eventually got married but his surname was never changed. Ntsoelengoe was a good singer . He was a close friend to Mbongeni Ngema. He was also played in tennis and used to practice at a tennis court next to his home. He was also played the organ and the guitar earning the nickname "Quincy Jones" Ntsoelengoe grew up playing soccer with other boys in the street. He later joined an amateur coloured team, Powerlines and when he moved to Mohlakeng he joined Mohlakeng Home Stars and started to gain popularity. In 1969, when Kaizer XI played Randfontein XI he impressed Kaizer XI, Orlando Pirates and Moroka Swallows. He joined Kaizer XI at the age of 17. Ntsoelengoe's father, Daniel (born 1934), played semi-professional football with Randfontein Young Zebras. He inspired the affectionate nickname 'Ace'.
Ntsoelengoe spent almost his entire career with Kaizer Chiefs in his home country. During the local offseason he usually played in the United States and Canada.
In total he played 11 seasons in the North American Soccer League, beginning in 1973 with the Miami Toros. He is also a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
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