Kennedy Mweene hangs up his gloves
By Neo Poho
Zambia and Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene has announced his retirement from football with immediate effect.
Mweene who has won 8 PSL league titles, three Nedbank Cup titles, two Telkom Knockouts, one MTN 8 title, an NFD title, one CAF Super Cup title as well as one CAF Champions League title and an African Cup of Nations trophy with Zambia, released a statement expressing his gratitude to his fellow teammates, Mamelodi Sundowns and the Zambian teams he played before coming to South Africa.
"Today, I announce the end of my playing career and firstly, I want to be thankful to the people who have been a part of my journey, my family, my two sisters, my two brothers, friends, coaches and lastly soccer fans across the borders especially the Yellow nation, your support means a lot to me, we have memories and experiences that we will cherish forever.
Secondly, thank you to my previous clubs in Zambia, State House FC, Lusaka Celtics FC and Kitwe United FC and in South Africa, Free State Stars and where I have collected a lot of trophies Mamelodi Sundowns FC were I just retired, thank you to all the players that I have shared the change room with, the coaches, the support staff and most importantly thank you to the fans.
I have fond memories of playing for my country Zambia till here in South Africa Free State Stars and recently with the Mamelodi Sundowns, the Yellow Nation.
I was raised by Auntie in a police camp and in a way football has been like a father to me, it has taught me life, working hard, being humble, staying focused and how regardless of our background we all come to play a game we all love.
Football taught me how to be a man on and off the field and to be a better person, football has given me a chance to play against my heroes and share the same changing room with some of the best players both at the national team and at Sundowns like Teko Modise, Surprise Moriri, Hlompo Kekana, Pelembe, Nyandoro, Chris Katongo, Chamanga, Issac Chansa, Rainford Kalaba, I can go on and on.
It’s fitting that my playing career has come full circle to end in South Africa, in the PSL and I can now say this chapter is turning to give me a chance to start a different role and give back what I have learned and experienced, now I can’t wait to get started and really enjoy my other passion.
Thank you to everyone including those who kept criticising me because they made me to mentally strong and who I am today, my blood will remain yellow and thank you football ! Till we meet again," the statement read.
Mweene will now undertake a coaching role in football as he was already phased into coaching under the head coach of Sundowns, Rulani Mokwena last year.
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