LANSING, Mich. — Lansing Ignite FC has announced today the addition of former Lansing United, Charlotte Eagles and Olivet Nazarene University midfielder Tumi Moshobane ahead of the 2019 USL League One season, pending league and federation approval.
A talented youth player from Soweto, South Africa, Moshobane was a member of the youth system of Kaizer Chiefs FC – based in Johannesburg and one of the most successful clubs in South Africa – before moving to the United States.
“Tumi is a high-quality player who possesses a wonderful mix of creativity and work rate,” LIFC Head Coach Nate Miller said. “He glides with the ball and can unlock a defense at any moment. Tumi is also excellent defensively and gives the team great balance on the field. Tumi is going to be a great pro as he has the personality and mentality to succeed.”
For the past two collegiate seasons, Moshobane has exceled with Olivet Nazarene, scoring 17 goals and providing seven assists in 40 matches. He earned Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference first team honors each season and was a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics All-America Honorable Mention each season.
Moshobane competed for Lansing United during the 2017 season and the Charlotte Eagles during the 2018 USL League Two (formerly the Premier Development League) season, scoring three goals for the latter.
“It’s a huge honor to be back in Lansing and as a part of Lansing Ignite,” Moshobane said. “Thanks to Coach Miller and the team for giving me this opportunity. I can’t wait to start working and meeting everyone.”
Moshobane becomes the 16th player added to LIFC’s roster ahead of the 2019 season, joining Xavier Gomez, Rafa Mentzingen, Christian Silva, Kyle Carr, Nathan Lewis, Steeve Saint-Duc, Kyle Ihn, Rhys Williams, Kevin Coiffic, Omar Castro, Brandon Fricke, Pato Botello Faz, Grant Stoneman, Nick Moon and Lewis Jones.
LIFC begins its USL League One campaign against the Richmond Kickers in Richmond, Virginia, on March 30 and against Greenville Triumph SC in Greenville, South Carolina, on April 6. The team will then return home to prepare for its week-long, home-opening celebration. LIFC will hold a celebration in downtown Lansing ahead of the team’s first League One match at Cooley Law School Stadium against the Kickers on April 13, and the celebration of soccer in the Michigan capital will continue three days later when LIFC faces off against the Michigan State Spartans in the Capital Cup. For more information on Ignite FC, visit www.lansingignite.com [lansingignite.com] or follow the team on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram [instagram.com].
