‘I have no regrets’
KICK OFF: Yeye, over the past four seasons you’ve reiterated you felt you are still capable of playing professional football; why have you finally called it a day at 39?
Reneilwe Letsholonyane: [Laughs] It’s been two years now since I’ve been preparing for this day. Yes, I’ve been playing and feeling fit, and even now I know I still can play for another season or two, I know that. But I feel it’s time to hang up the boots and start focusing on the next phase of my career and what I’ve planned to do. I’ve played my part and now it’s that time.
It must have been strange to be playing at TS Galaxy with teammates half your age like Ethan Brooks, who said he looked up to you as one of his childhood heroes.
Everything has its time; I played my part and I did whatever needed to be done, and I think now it’s their time to play and contribute to South African football. I’m happy to see players like Ethan being part of the COSAFA Cup team and playing because I’ve experienced what he’s been through and seen what kind of player he can be, the potential he has and where he can be if that potential is nurtured properly. If he trains and lives properly and isn’t rushed into other situations … now obviously it’s a good moment for him but there’s a still long way
