Whata��s the ideal retirement age in football?

Raymond Jaravaza/Nkosilodumo Ndebele
IT is widely agreed that footballers peak between the ages of 26-30 and some World Cup winning squad bring a global perspective to this argument.

Take for instance at the World Cup successful teams that go the distance have an average age group of 27,5 years.

The BBC once reported that the average age of the winning teams in the 19 World Cup finals from 1930 to 2010, from the youngest a�� Argentina in 1978 (25,7) a�� to the oldest a�� Brazil in 1962 (30,7).

Does this suggest that the perfect age to be a footballer is 27,5?

If so then the case of veteran goalkeeper Njabulo a�?Popoa�? Nyoni who is from Bulawayoa��s theatre of dreams a�� Barbourfields Stadium a�� to the dusty grounds of Fairbridge that are home to ZRP Bulawayo Province, is a natural order.

The transition by veteran goalkeeper is to be seriously considered a downgrade. But not in his mind.

At 37 years of age it was always going to be difficult competing for a starting eleven jersey against relatively younger foes Ariel Sibanda and Prosper Matutu.

As life would have it, Nyoni was offloaded by Highlanders early this year. Just like everyone else with a family to fend for, the goalkeeper drifted from one topflight football team trying to resurrect his career.

With doors constantly slammed in his face by elite clubs, the veteran goalie had no choice but to turn to the less glamorous life in Division One.

He eventually found a home at Zifa Southern Region League side ZRP Bulawayo Province.

a�?Ita��s painful how Bulawayo City FC treated me because they dropped me at the last minute. I was only told I couldna��t sign for the team because of politics at the club so I had to move on and find another team to play for,a�? said Nyoni when B-Metro Sport caught up with him after his team lost 0-2 to Bulawayo Chiefs.

Ita��s no secret that older players are prone to injuries.

Bad luck struck minutes before the end of the Bulawayo Chiefs defeat when Nyoni landed awkwardly after a dive and broke a finger.

a�?I might be out of action for a few weeks but thata��s the nature of the game,a�? he said.

Does he believe he still has more seasons to play?

a�?I will retire at 45,a�? he said with a grin, seemingly taking a cue from the story of history making Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary who became the oldest player in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations at the age of 44 years and two days.

El-Hadary made his 148th international cap for Egypt, coming in for the injured Ahmed El-Shenawy against Mali.

Fifa even tweeted a congratulatory message to the veteran goalie. .