Thandani Ntshumayelo hangs his boots
By Neo Poho
Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Thandani Ntshumayelo has retired from football with immediate effect.
Ntshumayelo made the announcement via a statement that he posted on his official Twitter page on Thursday morning.
"After careful consideration and lengthy consultations with my family, I have decided to officially announce my retirement from football with immediate effect, it's a decision that I didn’t take lightly because football has been part of my entire life and I feel privileged to have realised my dream of becoming a professional footballer.
To my SuperSport United family, who gave me my big break to turn professional at the age of 18, I will forever be grateful for everything you have done for me, I want to thank SuperSport CEO Stan Matthews, academy coaches Godfrey Mosoetsa, Kwanele Kopo and coach Gavin Hunt who also became a father figure in my life, even in difficult times and a special thanks to the academy staff of SuperSport United and the aunties that took good care of us.
It was also an honour to represent one of the biggest clubs in Africa, Orlando Pirates and it is for this reason that I would like to express my gratitude to Dr Irvin Khoza for giving me the opportunity to represent this big institution.
I will forever cherish the moment that I got to wear the Orlando Pirates jersey and fight for the badge, to my former teammates, thank you for the brotherhood and unforgettable memories we created together.
I would like to also thank my parents and partner who have always been there for me in good and bad times, indeed I wouldn’t be the man I am today without your love and support.
To my son Leano, I love you and you inspire me to be a better person, a big thanks also go out to Tim Sukazi, my former teams Baroka and Swallows FC and to the fans, you have no idea how much your support means to me and I will not be lost to football and our paths will cross again," Ntshumayelo said.
In his first season as a professional player in top flight football, Ntshumayelo made 20 league appearances for SuperSport United and also helped the side win their third successive championship.
After an impressive run with Matsatsantsa a Pitori, Ntshumayelo joined Orlando Pirates in 2012 and played 98 matches for the club before the four-year ban from football after he had tested positive for cocaine in 2016.
Ntshumayelo however, made his return to football in 2018 after a successful appeal to cut the initial four-year ban to two years.
The 33-year-old then joined Baroka FC in a three-month spell towards the end of the 2018/19 season and featured once for the Limpopo side.
With Swallows FC being his next destination, Ntshumayelo never really lived up to the desired expectations and was released after only making two appearances for the Dube Birds.
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