Ng’ambi feels it’s almost time to hang up his boots
Veteran eyes Ke Yona parting gift
Black Leopards’ veteran midfielder Robert Ng’ambi, 33, is contemplating hanging up his boots within the next two years.
Ng’ambi is in his 14th season in the Premier Soccer League (PSL), having first arrived in South Africa to join Leopards from Zimbabwean side Monomotapa in July 2005. The Malawian stalwart has since amassed more than 370 top-flight appearances for Lidoda Duvha and the now-defunct Platinum Stars.
“I’ll wake up one day maybe feeling more tired, not feeling like going to training. When that day comes I will accept [it]. To be honest I don’t see myself playing beyond the next two years,” Ng’ambi said.
“Football is something that I love but sometimes it’s about how your body feels. I always take one day at a time but I know that the energy is not like before anymore. But the brains are still there.”
Leopards are in the Nedbank Cup quarterfinals, where they’ll meet provincial foes Baroka on the weekend of March 14 at Peter Mokaba Stadium. Ng’ambi has earmarked the Ke Yona trophy as one of the potential parting gifts.
“At his stage in my career I want to win every cup I have a chance to win and the Nedbank Cup gives me that opportunity,” Ng’ambi noted.
Many believe that this year’s edition of the Nedbank Cup is there for the taking, with Mamelodi Sundowns and Bidvest Wits the only big guns remaining after the elimination of Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.
The Leopards man suggested that any of the eight remaining teams can lift this trophy.
“It’s not about Chiefs or Pirates. Remember, this cup is not easy. If you look back what happened in the past seasons you’ll agree that it is a tricky cup,” said Ng’ambi.
“So we have to focus... we can’t get carried away because there’s no Pirates and Chiefs. We still have to sweat blood to go to the final.”