September set for new role

Cape Town - SuperSport United CEO Stan Matthews has revealed that defender Thabo September will take up an ambassadorial role at the club after his retirement as a player.

September spoke about potentially hanging up his boots after struggling for game time in the first-half of last season, but became a first-team regular after the arrival of Stuart Baxter as head coach, leading to suggestions he would take up a player/coach role next season.

"He has not been offered a playing contract but has been offered an ambassadorial contract to do PR, brand and eventing for us while we train him up in other admin areas with a view to be a future member of our management team," Matthews told KickOff.

"He declined a coaching job in the academy. He has a great track record with us as a player and has represented us well on and off the field so it's a natural progression and is a further demonstration of how we like to reward loyal players who have conducted themselves well at the club, such as Ricardo Katza and Kaitano Tembo, by finding a space for them to continue to add value and grow themselves and the club.

"We have given Thabo two weeks to decide what study courses he wants to pursue and where he wants to start his focus areas. I believe not enough clubs look after their former players and it's a positive message to the market."