Letladi Madubanya has revealed for the first time the real reason behind him and Baroka FC parting ways.
Last week Thursday the Limpopo club parted ways with the Alexandra-born midfielder after only 11 appearances in all competitions for the 2018 Telkom Knockout Cup champions last season.
The 35-year-old says the reason he left Bakgaga despite having one season left on his contract is because he wanted to be closer to Gauteng.
The former Bidvest Wits and SuperSport United man says he is far from retiring as he's still got about five years of football in his legs.
"I just had a lot of things to do this side, at home here in Joburg," he tells snl24.com/kickoff.
"But besides you know I called the chairman [Khurishi Mphahlele] first and we sat down. I'm the one who asked to be released. Well I haven't started looking for a team yet, I was also a bit injured so I still want to fix myself first and get my head in the right space.
"Ja they can give me a call [interested clubs], I don't mind which division I just want to play you know. You know I won the Mvela twice, I won the league three times, I'm ready for any challenge. I'm left with maybe four, five seasons I don't know. But ja I'm still strong."
READ: Baroka part ways with coach
Madubanya also explained why it took so long for Baroka to release him considering it became evident even before the end of last season that he was not going to be retained.
"When the season started I thought I'll be okay, but then you know I didn't want to be in the space where I get paid for just sitting down. I told the coach [Wedson Nyirenda] what decision I've made, and he said 'okay sharp'. That was the last thing he said. I said 'okay sharp' and we never spoke after that. I told him I've made a decision with the club that I want to go. I asked him if he was okay about it and he wished me good luck.
"As a player you don't always want to be on guard, you want to be part of something as well. When the team is sitting number 16 the whole season and with ten games to go, you know what I mean? Then I have to come back for the last ten games and save the team. I don't want to be that type of a player anymore. But the team they gave me an opportunity you understand, and thank you for that."
READ: Baroka ready to win the league?