JUST like all good things in life, Arthur Zwane's glittering football career has come to an end.
Zwane, who joined Kaizer Chiefs in 2000 as part of an exchange deal that saw the late Lesley "Slow Poison" Manyathela cross the road to join sworn enemies Orlando Pirates, said it was not an easy decision to make.
"It has been on my mind for about three months now. I spoke to my family and they felt that I could still play for another season but I had already made up my mind.
"I felt that the time was right to stop playing and to give the youngsters a chance," Zwane said.
He said he would be working with the club's technical team until the end of the season, and that the Amakhosi management would make an announcement about his long-term future with the club in due course.
"But I would like to be part of the first team. It would give me a chance to impart my knowledge to the youngsters," said the man who is popularly known as "10111" in football circles.
The affable Zwane also said he was leaving the game with a sense of satisfaction in all his achievements with Chiefs.
"I have really enjoyed myself and I sometimes wish I could turn back the clock so that I can play again. But I have to give our youngsters a chance because I have achieved a lot in my career," he said.
"Winning the African Cup Winners Cup in 2001 was the highlight and I will cherish that moment for the rest of my life."
Zwane also called on local players to take the continental competitions seriously to improve their game.
"South African players need to be mentally strong when they go out to play in African competitions as this will improve their game," Zwane said.
10111 answers a new calling
JUST like all good things in life, Arthur Zwane's glittering football career has come to an end.
Zwane, who joined Kaizer Chiefs in 2000 as part of an exchange deal that saw the late Lesley "Slow Poison" Manyathela cross the road to join sworn enemies Orlando Pirates, said it was not an easy decision to make.
"It has been on my mind for about three months now. I spoke to my family and they felt that I could still play for another season but I had already made up my mind.
"I felt that the time was right to stop playing and to give the youngsters a chance," Zwane said.
He said he would be working with the club's technical team until the end of the season, and that the Amakhosi management would make an announcement about his long-term future with the club in due course.
"But I would like to be part of the first team. It would give me a chance to impart my knowledge to the youngsters," said the man who is popularly known as "10111" in football circles.
The affable Zwane also said he was leaving the game with a sense of satisfaction in all his achievements with Chiefs.
"I have really enjoyed myself and I sometimes wish I could turn back the clock so that I can play again. But I have to give our youngsters a chance because I have achieved a lot in my career," he said.
"Winning the African Cup Winners Cup in 2001 was the highlight and I will cherish that moment for the rest of my life."
Zwane also called on local players to take the continental competitions seriously to improve their game.
"South African players need to be mentally strong when they go out to play in African competitions as this will improve their game," Zwane said.