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Throwback Thursday: Sibusiso Dlamini

Dlamini, who also played for Moroka Swallows, retired from playing football in the 2012/2013 season at the age of 33 while on the books of Swazi giants Malanti Chiefs.

"I found it proper to retire at that time because I had done enough, hence I felt it was time to hang up my boots. I had enjoyed my time in football so it was the right time to retire," he tells snl24.com/kickoff.

"I was recruited by Kaizer Chiefs when I was at Black Leopards, it was our second season in the Premier League or third I think. That was the 2002/2003 season, that's when I was approached to join Kaizer Chiefs and that move came through. I wore jersey number 20 at Kaizer Chiefs, actually I wanted jersey number 2 only to find that no striker can put on that jersey."

Although Dlamini will be remembered for his outstanding performances for Amakhosi and Lidoda Duvha, the 37-year-old says he mostly enjoyed his football in Swaziland.

"I enjoyed my football in the local league in Swaziland when I was young, because it was more like a hobby there. Then when I got to the professional set up it was work. But I enjoyed each and every team that I played for, Black Leopards, Kaizer Chiefs, Moroka Swallows, Black Aces ... You know it was fun, and it was more about getting results and enjoying [it the] most, which we did when we tried to get results through enjoying [it]."

Dlamini says his highest earnings as a player came at Leopards.

"I got paid a lot at Black Leopards. I started very low obviously but you worked your way up ... Ja, the highest payment that I ever had I got it from Black Leopards. They paid me more than Chiefs paid me. But as for football I enjoyed it the most at Royal Leopards in Swaziland, for some reason it was fun. I was the youngest playing with the older guys, so I was treated differently but harshly which is what I enjoyed most because I wasn't a star. I was treated as a youngster that needs to work hard."

Dlamini holds a CAF license and is currently coaching in his community, while at the same time he is trying to start a business that will help support his family.

"I'm doing my practise with my young boys, I have a team of Under-20s that plays in the open league. So I'm trying to give back to the community. As for a job I'm still setting up a business. Very soon it will be taking off I hope and I pray."

Dlamini lives in the city of Mbabane with his wife and five-year-old daughter.

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