SHAKA RETIRES FROM PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL

MBABANE – Mhlume Peacemakers central midfielder Shaka Nkwanyana has officially announced his retirement from professional football.
The 33-year-old said endless injuries were the main reason in him calling it quits. The former Green Mamba, Manzini (Denver) Sundowns player who spent a decade playing in the Premier League confirmed the decision yesterday.

He is the second player at Mhlume Peacemakers to quit since football was suspended on March 13, 2020. He follows former national team and Royal Leopard defender Sihawu Dlamini, who also announced his retirement from professional football in May.

“Following football suspension and the injuries I have been suffering from, I can confirm my retirement from playing professional football. I have communicated with Mhlume Peacemakers Director Scorpion Nxumalo but we are still to meet. The injuries being a muscle pull and a knee has forced me to quit football early while I was hoping for more years playing,” he said.
Nkwanyana said he had an incredible career and he was thankful to the teams that gave him the chance of playing such as Ubombo Flyers, RSSC, Manzini Denver Sundowns, Green Mamba and Mhlume Peacemakers.

thank

“I would like to take this time and thank everyone who has helped me in my football career. Those who gave me time to express my talent and become a football player in the country. There are a lot of people who gave me support throughout my career that I’m proud of,” he added.

Nkwanyana, who is also a Correctional Service Officer, said he was grateful to some coaches who helped him blossom. The coaches include Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Harries ‘Madze’ Bulunga, national team, Sihlangu coach Dominic Kunene, assistant coach Gcina ‘Magiyane’ Dlamini, Hebert Jompano Maruwa and Sputla Zwane among others.
He said he was grateful to some of the teams’ directors who included Denver Sundowns Mark Carmichael, Green Mamba’s Bongani Khumalo and Scorpion Nxumalo for giving him a chance to play in their clubs.

Nkwanyana said he started to play professional football in 2010 when he joined Ubombo Flyers and he signed for RSSC a season later, where he made a name for himself by being the top goalscorer in the national first division league.
RSSC got promoted to the elite league same season and he left and signed with Denver Sundowns. After two good seasons with Sundowns, Nkwanyana was among the most wanted players in the country and he eventually signed for Correctional Services side, Green Mamba.

He played for three seasons with Green Mamba and left in 2018 to join Mhlume Peacemakers.
Nkwanyana said he also played for the national junior squads being the Under-20 and the Under-23.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: