Cole Alexander has had as long a career as he would have never imagined and enjoyed the rare achievement of signing for Kaizer Chiefs at the age of 32.
Alexander has played professional football from as far back as the 2008/09 season when he broke through at Ajax Cape Town.
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Since then, he has been to Vasco da Gama, Chippa United, Bidvest Wits, SuperSport United, India, Chiefs, Sweden, and is now back for his second stint at Polokwane City aged 35 and showing no signs of slowing down.
"My body is adapting to it because I can manage it," says Alexander.
"I'm continuing to learn and happy to be around guys that fight for the team and have good attitude because that is the most important character of our team.
"I'm happy to be here and really don't feel like a 35-year-old.
"This year, I have felt like I'm getting younger with the way I have been training.
"I train like a 19-year-old but obviously lack in recovering as fast as a 19-year-old.
"Hopefully, it can go on a few more years because I'm taking care of the body in terms of massaging, ice baths, prioritising my sleep, and eating well, which are things that I discovered later in my career.
"Every little bit counts at my age.
"I have people in my corner helping with the mental and spiritual space since I'm a Christian.
"Then I have a fitness trainer friend from America, who is helping me in conjunction with the club's fitness trainer because the load must be managed properly," says Alexander, who remains grateful for the opportunity he got at Chiefs.
"There is not a lot of over-30 guys signing at big clubs, but I was fortunate enough to get that opportunity.
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"That, for me, is the reward for the effort that you put in the trade.
"It is the investment that you pump into your body and how you are off the field.
"I don't have any bad things out there and that helps because the less or negativity there is, the better for you because you are seen as a good influencer," adds Alexander.