Former Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United midfielder Thandani Ntshumayelo has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 33.
The SuperSport United development product was once regarded as one of the finest midfield talents in South Africa when he burst onto the scene as a teenager with Matsatsansa in 2009 before starring over three seasons in the first team.
He won the league in the 2009/10 season before Pirates came calling into 2012 where he was part of another league-winning campaign in a domestic treble with the Buccaneers.
‘Bibo’ formed part of an impressive midfield with the likes of Oupa Mamyisa and Andile Jali, Issa Sarr and Lehlogonolo Masalesa and went on to become a full senior international for the South Africa national team.
But in 2016, his career came to a dramatic halt as he was hit with a four-year ban after testing positive for a banned substance, cocaine which saw him inactive until he returned in July 2019 as the ban was cut short, with Baroka.
He only made one appearance for the club before leaving as he form and fitness was naturally not up to the required standard for professional football and another chance was opened for him at Swallows, in his home town of Soweto.
But after just two appearances with the Dube Birds, he was released and he’s now decided to call time on his career, confirming the decision on social media on Thursday.
