Publications
Partners
Cape Town - AmaZulu striker Siyabonga Nomvethe has cautioned up-and-coming players to 'love and respect' the game and not to make poor life choices.
Nomvethe, who turns 40 this year, was on the score-sheet as AmaZulu beat Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday.
The former African Wanderers, Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, and Moroka Swallows marksman says he never expected to play for so long, but with a healthy lifestyle and positive approach, he is also not surprised.
"It all comes down to dedication‚ I also spent a lot of time with my family and I work very hard at training so that I am always fit," he told the Durban team's website.
"I don't know when I will stop playing professional football because my legs can still carry me. I never expected that reach this age still playing professionally
"Age is just a number‚ I am just making sure that I make use of the opportunity that I have to inspire others," said the former South African international, who also played in Italy, Sweden and Denmark.
'Bhele' says young players should use his example and not squander their talents.
"There are youngsters that I have seen who can play for Bafana Bafana‚ for the junior national teams or even go to Europe but they waste their talents because of doing things that are not right," he added.
"Others are no longer with us anymore because they took wrong decisions but I want those who are still playing at the moment to look at me and Mabhuti Khenyeza (Nomvethe's fellow veteran striker at AmaZulu, who also scored against Sundowns)
"We love and respect football because it has given us a lot and they must not have bad influences in their lives because those people will not be there when things are bad. We just want to show them that football is played with love and respect."
Nomvethe's goal against the Brazilians extended his PSL goal-scoring record to 120 goals, the most in the competition's history.
