Cape Town - Wits midfielder Thabang Monare reflected on his difficult road to silverware after his career was derailed a few years ago when University of Pretoria unceremonious released him.
The exciting attacker clinched the MTN8 title after a 3-0 win over Mamelodi Sundowns a fortnight ago.
Monare was teammates with the likes of Andile Jali and Aubrey Ngoma at AmaTuks back in 2009, before they gained promotion to the Premiership.
He was sacked in 2012 and left to join FC AK (Football Club Azziz Kara) where he played without a salary.
The 27-year-old also had a lowlight when Jomo Cosmos was relegated to the National First Division last season after just one year back in the top flight.
"I played for Tuks and right after my friends Jali and Ngoma left I was chased away at Tuks and I had to play at FC AK. I played without a salary, but I just had to play. I did it for the love of the game," Monare told the Sowetan.
"What happened is something that motivates me, even today when I go to the field and I don't want to go (back) there.
"It is a great change and life goes on. I don't even have the words to describe how I feel about being around these players - I learn a lot from them."
The exciting attacker clinched the MTN8 title after a 3-0 win over Mamelodi Sundowns a fortnight ago.
Monare was teammates with the likes of Andile Jali and Aubrey Ngoma at AmaTuks back in 2009, before they gained promotion to the Premiership.
He was sacked in 2012 and left to join FC AK (Football Club Azziz Kara) where he played without a salary.
The 27-year-old also had a lowlight when Jomo Cosmos was relegated to the National First Division last season after just one year back in the top flight.
"I played for Tuks and right after my friends Jali and Ngoma left I was chased away at Tuks and I had to play at FC AK. I played without a salary, but I just had to play. I did it for the love of the game," Monare told the Sowetan.
"What happened is something that motivates me, even today when I go to the field and I don't want to go (back) there.
"It is a great change and life goes on. I don't even have the words to describe how I feel about being around these players - I learn a lot from them."