SuperSport United defender Thulani Hlatshwayo revealed leaving Orlando Pirates was the "hardest decision of his life" alongside further details leading to his dramatic exit at the end of the 2021/22 DStv Premiership season.
The 32-year-old was a shock departure from Pirates at the end of the 2021/22 season after just seasons with the Buccaneers. The centre back was a regular at Pirates in his first campaign, making 38 appearances in all competitions.
Hlatshwayo's time on the field was drastically reduced in his second season, making just 13 appearances.
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The defender has opened about what he describes as the hardest decision of his life when he decided to move away from his boyhood club.
"It's a feeling. you can feel it [that it's time to leave]," Hlatshwayo told Marawa Sports World.
"At the end of the day, I'm not getting any younger and for me to be active, I need to play.
"You can feel when the curtain is about to close but also your mind and your heart are fighting, saying: 'no I still have a few years left in me,' but then you see the situation you're in and then you take the hardest decision on your life."
"Because I didn't want it to be like that. That [leaving Pirates] was not the picture that I had painted for myself, playing for the team that I grew up supporting, representing a team that was so dear to my heart."
Hlatshwayo has since reunited with his former coach Gavin Hunt at SuperSport United where he slotted straight into the back four. The centre-back started all 13 of Matsatsantsa's matches this season has scored one goal.
SuperSport is proving to be the surprise package this season, sitting on third position on the DStv Premiership table behind Mamelodi Sundowns and Richards Bay.
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