Zuma feels Bhele will be among top scorers

Rhee says age is just a number for Nomvethe

Sibusiso “Rhee” Zuma, who retired at 39 two years ago, is not surprised by Siyabonga Nomvethe’s longevity and feels the AmaZulu striker will be among top scorers in the Absa Premiership this season.

Nomvethe, who will turn 40 in December, will be the oldest player in the Premiership when he turns out for Usuthu this campaign, and that comes as no surprise to his “partner in crime” Zuma.

“I am not shocked to see him continuing with football at this age. He is one of my closest friends. It is his passion that keeps him going. I think he can play for another three seasons or so because he loves his job. I remember when I was playing with him at [African] Wanderers [in the 1990s], he was my partner in crime.

“We used to have a wonderful combination even at Bafana Bafana,’’ said Zuma.

Rhee, as Zuma is known, forged a deadly combo with Nomvethe and Phumlani Mkhize in a three-man Wanderers strike force that was dubbed the “three musketeers”.

“Bhele has all the attributes of a good striker. He will be one of the top scorers this season. I will go to watch him because I have faith in him. If you are a natural goalscorer, no one can take that away from you,’’ noted Zuma.

The former Bafana striker believes players should not be judged by their ages but on what they offer on the field.

“People like to judge players by age ... which is wrong. Look at him [Nomvethe], he’s proving them wrong.

“If you still feel strong, you must not retire because of what people say about you. I only retired because I felt my body was not giving its all.

“The older players are the ones who perform better these days,’’ argued the former SuperSport United player.