Linda Ximba
Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo has accepted his forced retirement with a tear and a sad smile.
“What can you do? I have accepted that I won’t be able to do what I love the most,” said the emotional Mhlongo.
“I leave everything to God. He’s the one who knows our future.”
The 30-year old goalie injured his eye at training last week and was told by a specialist that he won’t be able to play football anymore.
The news came ahead of a crucial Nedbank Cup final against Chippa United in the Free State on Saturday night.
On the night, Mhlongo’s side triumphed, so it was a bitter sweet evening.
“It was great to see the boys work hard against Chippa and they deservedly won the trophy,” he said.
“I hoped to feature so we could win the cup. I hope the win will instill the spirit in the team and we will overcome the relegation threat.”
TTM coach Dylan Kerr confirmed that the club may find a role for Mhlongo.
“It was difficult for him to accept but luckily he is a strong boy,” said Kerr.
“Before the final he made a speech to the players which optimised the character and the togetherness of the team.”
He said Mhlongo will not go unnoticed in the future.
“It broke his heart to stand in front of his teammates knowing that he is never going to play football again,” said Kerr.
“He made a special speech today that I think went a long way for them to perform the way they did.”
