Sekhukhune United midfielder Sibusiso Vilakazi has hit out at age critics for often prematurely writing footballers off after the age of 30 after starring for Brandon Truter's side.
The attacking midfielder proved his class with a predatory finish to give Babina Noko the lead against Orlando Pirates in the final of the Nedbank Cup that they eventually lost in dramatic fashion.
READ | 'People had written me off' - Vilakazi hits back at critics
Although Sekhukhune eventually lost the tie, it was a reminder of the 33-year-old's class.
"It depends where the question [of being too old for professional football] finds you to be honest, whether you still have the hunger and desire to win, do you still have the ambition of winning? That's the key factor," the 33-year-old told KickOff.
"It depends where you are as a footballer and if you still see yourself setting certain realistic goals for yourself, so it's within a person.
"it's also open for everyone to debate about it but only each footballer can answer that question for themselves.
Vila shows his class??Babina noko take the lead after some awful defending from Pirates. Vilakazi repays the faith from the coach with a neatly struck goal ???? Stream live the #NedbankCupFinal : https://t.co/TesYUfoDS5 pic.twitter.com/uH3X5jYXvs
— SuperSport Football ?? (@SSFootball) May 27, 2023
39-year-old Elias Pelembe recently became the second-oldest goal scorer in the goal soccer in the DStv premiership behind Siyabonga Nomvethe, when he netted the equaliser during Royal AM's 3-1 over Stellenbosch in April.
"It's been proven so many times, some players able to do it after 35, they are still able to do it with incredible numbers. So how then do you close the chapter for a person because of a certain number?
"Some players start maturing after 30, they start giving good numbers. Look at Themba [Zwane], how old is he and how many youngsters are playing within that structure but Themba is still making the starting eleven or playing the majority of the games. Because he still has the ambition and the drive, so that's why I say, it depends of the player."
Meanwhile, Sekhukhune are reportedly set to offer Vilakazi an extension when his current deal with Ba Bina Noko expires at the end of June.
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