Former soccer star Thulasizwe Mbuyane speaks out on his retirement

Former soccer star Thulasizwe Mbuyane speaks out on his retirement

- Former Orlando Pirates striker Thulasizwe Mbuyane retired back in 2014

- He was diagnosed with epilepsy and chose his health over the sport

- He now focuses on his children and aims to passion his passion for soccer onto them

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36-year-old former Orlando Pirates striker Thulasizwe Mbuyane was forced to give up his passion after being diagnosed with a health issue that left him with no other choice.

It is never easy to walk away from something you love, especially when it was due to something you have no control over.

Briefly.co.za learnt that the soccer star was diagnosed with epilepsy back in 2011. It was only in 2014 that he made the decision to walk away from the game as his health was too much of a concern.

Epilepsy is a neurological condition that causes one to have seizure when brain activity spikes. A head injury, or even just a small knock to the head, can bring on a life-threatening seizure. Being epileptic and playing a sport like soccer, means gambling with your life on a daily basis.

Thulasizwe stated that hanging up his boots was not an easy decision, reported the Daily Sun.

Being a father of three, Thulasizwe made the responsible decision by calling his retirement. He did not want to be selfish by continuing to play and end up leaving his children without a father.

He also stated that he is constantly questioned about his retirement and that it is getting a bit much. Medical issues are a personal matter.

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“I’m tired of people asking me the same question over and over. They must leave me alone,” said Thulasizwe.

Even though it is a personal matter, he wants people to know his reason as to create awareness.

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Thulasizwe now runs two successful business Infini Innovation and Juju Mbuyane Investment, as well as the United Football Academy.

Passing his passion for soccer onto his children is now his mission and pride. He plans on doing a caching course in the near future too.

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Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Denika Herbst avatar

Denika Herbst (Editor) Denika Herbst is a Human Interest writer at Briefly News. She is also an Industrial Sociologist with a master's degree in Industrial Organisational and Labour Studies from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, which she completed in 2020. She is now a PhD candidate at UKZN. Denika has over five years of experience writing for Briefly News (joined in 2018), and a short time writing for The South African. You can reach her via: denika.herbst@briefly.co.za.