FORMER ‘BIRDS’ STAR HANGS UP SOCCER BOOTS

MBABANE – “It’s enough!”

These were the words of former Mbabane Swallows defender Thabo ‘Marikana’ Vilakati, who has announced his retirement from elite football. The player, who burst into professional football back in 2012, with MTN National First Division outfit Malanti Chiefs, revealed that he had reached the decision to call it a day in his football career. “It’s true that I have retired from football. It wasn’t an easy decision, but I am forced by an injury on my right foot, which does not want to heal,” Marikana explained.

The former Ezulwini United defender said he was trying to keep fit by playing in social games, but the pain he felt on his foot was unbearable. “The reasons I announce my retirement from football now is to make teams interested in my services know that I am no longer available,” he said. Marikana said he was grateful to all the teams that gave him the opportunity to showcase his talent at the highest level in the country’s football. “It has been a great journey and I would like to thank all the teams that gave me the chance to play the sport I love the most,” he added.

Technical

His former Public Relations Officer (PRO) at Ezulwini United Guy Magongo, the last team he was registered with, said he learnt through social media that Vilakati had called it a day. “What a player Thabo is. In my opinion, he deserves a role in the technical bench,” Magongo said.Vilakati has played for Malanti Chiefs, where he launched his professional football career in 2012 and was then recruited by Moneni Pirates, before joining Mbabane Swallows. He was in the books of Ezulwini United in the previous season.


 

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