Premier Soccer League legend Vuyo Mere has officially retired from football after 23 years, having spent his final season in the game as a player-coach at TS Galaxy.
Mere, 41, first entered the professional scene in 2001 with Hellenic before a glittering spell at Mamelodi Sundowns between 2004 and 2011 and while many thought he’d be slowing down after his exit, he did seven seasons with Platinum Stars and from 2018 he had stints with Bidvest Wits – where he won the league, Moroka Swallows and finally, the Rockets.
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“To all the people, fans, supporters and the whole football fraternity at large. I, Vuyo Calvin Mere, wish to extend my deepest and humblest gratitude to all of you for the support and love y’all showed me right through my career.
“It’s been an amazing 23 years of professional football which was filled with lots of great and bad memories. I just wanna thank my God for the great opportunity, good health, protection and a willing heart to respect my career and everyone around it.
“I wanna thank everyone who contributed to my amazing career which started in the dusty streets of Bloemfontein, playing for City Leopards, UK Babies, Liverpool FC, Mangaung United and finally making my way to the Hellenic academy.
“I have won many trophies right through my career and played with the most talented players across the continent and it’s all because God and my ancestors made it possible and I am truly grateful.
“To all the teams that gave me an opportunity to showcase my talent, Hellenic, Sundowns, Moroka Swallows, Platinum Stars, Bidvest Wits and TS Galaxy – I just wanna thank you all for the memories created, they will forever be tattooed in my heart.”
Mere looked set for an official retirement last season but remained registered as a player while part of Sead Ramovic’s technical team before Adnan Beganovic took over earlier into last season when Ramovic resigned and moved on for a foray with Young Africans.
“To all the Coaches I worked with, thank you all for the lessons. I became a better human being before a better footballer because of y’all, baie dankie. As I have started my next chapter in football and looking forward to a great journey, just wanted to appreciate all the Smereza, Traffic, Skhokho, Razooo and Reiziger fans,” he added.
“I love y’all and really appreciate everything about y’all. I’ll definitely miss everything about playing the beautiful game and what it has done for me and my family.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I have officially retired from professional football. It’s curtains my loving loyal fans. Thank you once again and see y’all on the other side.”
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