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WILLARD Katsande has quit professional football, after spending all his adult life in the game’s trenches, to take up a new role in administration.
The former Warriors skipper has called time on his career at the age of 36.
He will now become the brand manager of South African Premiership side, Sekhukhune United, which is coached by his countryman, Kaitano Tembo.
Ironically, the other 36-year-old Zimbabwean in Supa Diski, Onismor Bhasera, has just been named the new captain of SuperSport United.
Sekhukhune United boss, Jonas Malatji confirmed Katsande has retired and will be taking up a role as the club’s brand ambassador.
“He will be looking after the image of the club. He will be our official envoy, at the highest ranking football wise, and players will be looking up to him,” said Malatji.
The Limpopo are preparing for a trip to the Harry Gwala Stadium in the Midlands to play against Maritzburg United tomorrow.
Katsande, joined Sekhukhune in August last year from Kaizer Chiefs, which he joined in 2011, from Ajax Cape Town.
He was omitted from the Sekhukhune United squad for the 2022-23 season that was announced on Wednesday.
Last month, he is believed to have offered to retire but the decision was delayed after the club struggled to find a good replacement for the combative midfielder.
He made 18 appearances for Sekhukhune and helped them successfully fight against relegation.
Katsande’s last club in Zimbabwe was Gunners in 2010.
The former Warriors skipper is widely celebrated as one of the finest Zimbabwean footballers of his generation.
Ironically, ahead of the 2021 AFCON finals, held in Cameroon in January, there was speculation that Katsande was considering a return to the national team.
Online Reporter