Hollywoodbets Brand Ambassador Profile: Brian Baloyi
Everything you need to know about Hollywoodbets' Brand Ambassador, Brian Baloyi.
Brian Baloyi – Spiderman
Mzansi’s very own ‘Spiderman’, Brian Baloyi retired from professional football in 2011 – drawing the curtain on a glittering career, spanning over 15 years.
The legendary shot-stopper was born in Alexandra, Gauteng on March 16 1974, and went on to play for some of the country’s biggest and most supported football clubs.
The man who spent almost 20 years between the sticks is also very passionate about career guidance, youth development and teaching aspiring football stars about financial prudence, fame and all that comes with success in football and life in general.
Brian was only 17 years old when he joined Kaizer Chiefs in 1991 as an apprentice, with Wade du Plessis and William Shongwe being the senior goalkeepers at the time. He wouldn’t make his professional debut until the age of 19 in 1993 after both Wade and William had departed the club.
In 1997, legendary coach Clive Barker handed Baloyi his Bafana Bafana debut on the 4th of June – during a 2-0 defeat against the Netherlands in the Nelson Mandela Inauguration Cup match at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.
Brian Baloyi. pic.twitter.com/C22aYJWI37
— EVERNEXT (@MphoNtabanyane_) February 7, 2023
That same year, he formed part of the squad that travelled to Saudi Arabia for the 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup where he played their final match of the group stage– a 4–3 loss against Uruguay.
This was followed by a trip to the Republic of Upper Volta for the 1998 Africa Cup of Nations where he played until the final of the tournament.
By now Spiderman had certainly cemented his place in the national team setup and was in part of the squad that travelled to France for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, as well as the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.
In 2004 Baloyi left Amakhosi after spending more than a decade in goals, and signed for their fierce rivals, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Baloyi had always claimed that he planned to retire from the game once he turned 36. But despite these claims, he was once again called up by Joel Santana for the 2009 Confederations Cup where he was third choice behind Itumeleng Khune and Rowen Fernandez.
The Fans Got excited from Brian Baloyi's "SpiderMan" Save pic.twitter.com/yt2KVYyXVW
— IbholalaseMzansi (@Cafulele1) July 22, 2020
Baloyi says he looks up to notable sports personalities such as NBA basketball star LeBron James, green jacket American golfer Tiger Woods, and Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo
Brian joins the Purple Team
Welcome Brian Baloyi! "Spiderman" joins @jerrysikhosana as a Hollywoodbets brand ambassador! #CatchOfTheSeason @BrianBaloyi pic.twitter.com/JNzJx219O0
— Hollywoodbets (@Hollywoodbets) September 1, 2017
“I am proud to be a part of a Team that shares the same values and principles as I do. I started the Brian Baloyi Foundation with the hopes of playing my part in helping those in need and uplifting young people in both sports and their individual career paths. Partnering with Hollywoodbets has been the perfect way to make my dream a reality.”
