In this edition of Where Are They Now, former AmaZulu FC star Sibusiso Hadebe reveals the biggest factor that contributed to his retirement from the game.
The former South African U23 midfielder reveals how he had to turn down Orlando Pirates' offer, which was way below what he was already earning at his then club AmaZulu FC.
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Who am I:
"My first team was Jomo Cosmos in 2005. Then I went to Thanda Zulu Royals, AmaZulu, Golden Arrows, Platinum Stars. I went back to AmaZulu again, and I retired at Stellenbosch FC.
"At AmaZulu, it's where I enjoyed my football the most. It was in 2010 when I won the club's Players' Player of the Season and Player of the Season awards."
My playing days:
"Sometimes I do feel like I could have reached greater heights if it wasn't for the injuries. I couldn't take it anymore, I would play a match today, and tomorrow my knee would be very painful. I had to accept it was time. It was 2018 when I decided to quit."
Did I make money from soccer:
"I can say so, yes, taking into consideration that in those days, money was not that much in our football. Here I am though, still alive, still the same Sibusiso you know."
Where I'm living:
"I'm back home in Standerton, in Mpumalanga, in my own house. I have two kids, but I lost my wife to Covid in May 2020."
Jobs since playing the game:
"You know in life, you accept what's happening to you in that particular moment. I had to choose between working in football or finding a 9-5 job.
"I remember in 2021, I did a coaching course in Pretoria. I have my SAFA D Licence.
"I would like to go back to football and coach. The passion is still there."
My current job:
"At this moment, I'm working for Eskom Rotek, but under APT Engineering. I'm working as a storeman."
If I could do it again:
"Like every footballer, I would love to play for a big team. I remember I had that opportunity to join Orlando Pirates, but the money I was offered was not enough. It was way less than what AmaZulu was going to give me if I stayed.
"But I ended up not extending with AmaZulu anyway, I joined Golden Arrows instead. I had a better offer from Arrows."