Former Orlando Pirates star Mpho Makola has decided to call time on his professional footballer career.
Mpho Makola, who will be turning 37 in May 2024, has announced through KickOff his retirement from the game and will now focus on grooming young talent.
Since leaving Polokwane City after helping them to win promotion back to the DStv Premiership last season Makola has been struggling to find employment elsewhere.
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In September 2023, the midfielder told KickOff he planned to play at least until he was 40 years old.
"I have decided to stop playing, to tell you the truth I have lost passion for playing," Makola tells KickOff.
"My passion is gone, bit by bit it was decreasing, up to a point where I decided, it's enough. I played my part, there is nothing out there for me to prove.
"Although I don't like the way it has ended, over the years it's been good against bad, but I think I've done more good than bad.
"But that's football, so I'm happy with my contribution to the game, I am happy with how far I came, even though some people may say, you know what, you didn't win a lot of trophies and all that.
"I think I did pretty well when it comes to individual achievements from Free State Stars to Pirates, I think I've been consistent in terms of performances.
"I've never had a completely dry season, that's something I can be proud of, I haven't kicked a ball for a while now but wherever I go people are telling me, you have inspired us so much.
"I think I did pretty well because today there are players that have been named after me.
"I have no regrets, if I were to do it again I'd take the same route again and make the same decisions. My biggest achievement was being the first one to play professional football in my family clan, playing my first game in the national team, and scoring in my first game.
"I think I played my part, somewhere in the puzzle I think there's a space for me.
"I have started familiarising myself with coaching, it's not my passion, but I want to see the growth of my team Via Sport FC players, six months ago this team was non-existent. We playing in the SAB League, in the Gauteng province.
"But if I continue being in football fully, I think it will be in a technical director's perspective. I know one thing I have is an eye for talent. I'm going to continue plowing back in whatever way I can."
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