Sun sets on Sibiyaa��s career

Noel Munzabwa

After 15 years chasing the football Ricky Sibiya is calling it a day.

His good run saw him rise from Highlanders FC juniors in Bulawayo before leaping to Chapungu and back to Highlanders before trekking to Swaziland where he is calling it time up.

In an interview recently, the Bulawayo-born said his next journey would take him to coaching although things did not go according to plan in his last stages of playing football.

a�?I was very close to the team boss at Red Lions and he paid me from his pocket. This created discomfort with the rest of the team and coaches forcing me to opt out. Sadly this had to be the end of my playing career,a�? said Sibiya.

He took time to walk down his ups and downs picking Chapungua��s 5-0 win over Mwana Africa at Ascot Stadium as his most memorable match.

a�?It all started as an ordinary match but one thing led to the other. I scored a goal and created the other goals from crosses.

a�?I remember after the match the late Willard Khumalo coming to me acknowledging my performance. It was so inspiring to get such from a legend.

a�?This was the cornerstone of my career. The zeal to take my career grew further and I felt Highlanders was the next destination to offer me a perfect challenge,a�? added Sibiya.

He featured for Highlanders in the 2007 CAF Champions League edition and was a regular for Bosso during his two-year stay.

He then moved to Swaziland joining Eleven Men in Flight and top scored for the club with eight goals but that was not good enough to save them from relegation.

a�?I was bought by Moneni Pirates, one of the oldest teams in Swaziland. I loved my stay there and I will always cherish it.

a�?We started off okay winning three games in a row and drawing one but things changed and we lost four consecutive games.

a�?I was now more of a utility player as a central defender and sometimes as a right back.

After Moneni Pirates I joined Manzini Wanderers and had a fair share of downs during the turbulent times.a�?

Sibiya tried to live true to his dream to end his career in Zimbabwe together with Hloniphani Ndebele, but they unsuccessfully tried their luck at Highlanders then under Kelvin Kaindu.

a�?I dona��t regret that moment at all but I remain thankful to Highlanders for giving me that chance.

a�?I returned to Swaziland a dejected person but luckily I joined Red Lions where I was appointed as the captain,a�? said Sibiya.

He thanked all the teams that gave him a platform to showcase his skills.