Ex-Sundowns star resurrecting career in Motsepe Foundation Championship
A former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder is attempting to resurrect his sagging career as he’s turning out for a Motsepe Foundation Championship club.
In the previous years, South Africa has seen many football stars fade away after having had short impressive stints in big teams in their early 20s.
However, many of them still get a chance to bring their careers back to life, especially in the lower division teams.
Recently, former Orlando Pirates midfielder Mpho Makola and former Moroka Swallows player Joseph Mhlongo were amongst those who were signed by the lower division clubs.
Another big-name footballer who has resurfaced in the South African second-tier this season, is the Sundowns’ product, Jabulani Shongwe.
The 33-year-old player is enjoying himself at the Tshwane side, Pretoria Callies. However, this is not Shongwe’s first stint in the first division as he played for Venda FC in the 2021/2022 season.
The Masandawana development side graduate has been without a club during the 2022/2023 season. He was also clubless in the 2019/2020 campaign.
Shongwe joined Callies at the beginning of the season on a short-term deal with an option to extend.
JABULANI SHONGWE WORKING HARD FOR A TOP-FLIGHT RETURN
“It’s tough for me to hit the road running. It has been tough, more especially because I didn’t play last season, but I am doing alright with this team,” Shongwe told FARPost.
“I am on the right team, and we have a good team to compete with. I think this is a chance for me to go back to the top flight. If I can do more with the guys, they can also gain from my experience. We can take this team to the Premiership next season.
“And I don’t take this as a setback, but a chance to go back to playing in the DStv Premiership, hopefully going back there with this team. It’s not a setback because if we win the league, then I’m back in the top flight.”
Further, Shongwe feels there’s a difference in the way of play between the DStv Premiership and the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
ON THE STANDARD OF THE MOTSEPE FOUNDATION CHAMPIONSHIP
“Here you have to be strong, physically. The Motsepe Foundation Championship is more about being physically strong than in the Premiership,” Shongwe added.
“In this league, there are many young stars, meaning it’s about running because they still have energy. Meanwhile, in the top tier, you mostly use space to play.
“But apart from that, it’s a good league where you can enjoy playing as long as you are strong and able to run.”
Story by Clifton Mabasa
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