Matome Mathiane sounded disappointed after Golden Arrows told him they wouldn't renew his contract only three days before it expired.

Arrows confirmed yesterday that they had released Mathiane alongside Maximilian Mbaeva, Siyabonga Dube, Siboniso Conco, Lindokuhle Mtshali and Michael Gumede.

But what disappointed Mathiane is that he found out only when Arrows started their preseason on June 27, three days before his contract was due to have expired.

He made six appearances for Arrows last season, scoring once, and is leaving after 10 years at the club.

“They never called me. They spoke to my agent [Jazzman Mahlakgane] that they are not going to renew my contract, so I’m going to meet him to brief me on what’s happening. But anyway, it is part of football,” Mathiane told Sowetan yesterday.

“I’ve served the team with respect in everything. So I’m just grateful to the players who have just been signed. We have built an empire for them.

“At the moment, I am disappointed, but it is part of football. I don’t know why they decided like this because they should have told me six months before that my contract won’t be renewed.

“So I was told when the season ended. I’m still shocked at what happened.”

The 33-year-old defender was sure that he would be retained by the club, but he is optimistic he will find something before the new season starts next month.

“When they opened on June 27, that’s when I knew that I wouldn't be coming back and they spoke to my agent, not me,” he said.

“It is something that seems to have been decided a few days back and I was hoping that I would go back, but as I said, it is part of football. I will just have to look somewhere else.

“We have to keep it strong, look forward and remain positive because you can’t be negative because you know you can’t do anything about it. You have to be positive and look forward to it.”

Meanwhile, Gumede has already joined DStv Premiership newcomers Richards Bay.