Waiting for that phone call to secure employment as a footballer can be nerve-racking and it's even worse when age is a big factor.
Someone who is familiar with this feeling is former Orlando Pirates and Moroka Swallows defender Ntsikelelo Nyauza, who is without a club at the moment and had to go through the experience of a club losing interest, possibly because of his age.
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The 34-year-old was on the books of Moroka Swallows for the second half of last season but he was not retained when Marumo Gallants bought the top flight status of the Dube Birds, despite doing well for the Soweto outfit in the short time he was there.
Nyauza spoke to the Siya crew about the challenge of clubs looking at age, rather than what a player can offer, before they consider offering a contract. It's something he went through a few months ago.
"Coming to the age part, it is difficult because I received a call from Magesi in June this season. They were interested because they asked me about my contract with Swallows. I told them that I was a free agent because obviously Swallows was sold. They said they would come back to me when they have a meeting with management. They call me again after that meeting. They asked me how old I am and I said 34," Nyauza said to the Siya crew.
"I was thinking that during the meeting with management, they were interested but I think the age part was a problem. What's more important is, as a player, are they looking for age or what a player can deliver for the club. So, I think it's the age part that they are looking at now, more than what you can deliver.
"One of the biggest challenges of being a free agent is not receiving a salary at the end of each month. Thanks to some smart investing, and a side hustle, he is able to keep going while he waits to find a new club.
"I'll be brutally honest with you. It's difficult knowing that you don't have a monthly income like before, you understand? But if you have side hustles and you can afford the basic needs of life. Then you will be covered and you can sustain your life. That's much more important. With the salary I was getting, when I was still working, I could buy my wants and not my needs. What's important now is having the capital to afford your needs and not your wants. I do have a side hustle, but it's confidential. I also have money that I invested, so that's also keeping me on my feet," the former Platinum Stars man said.
At times, talk of retirement is difficult for players who still want to continue playing. But the reality is that Nyauza may need to consider retirement if clubs do not come knocking on his door and he is aware of this.
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"I believe that everything has its time. With God, everything happens for a reason and God's timing is never wrong. If anything comes, I will be grateful. If nothing comes, I won't worry much because it's God's will and will accept it. If nothing comes, I will move on to the next chapter of my life. I am grateful and I thank God that I was at a big organisation (Pirates) for a long time.
"I also have to be grateful for such things. Not to be bitter and sulk. I have to look back and be grateful for what God has done for me."
By Tshepang Mailwane
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