Nyasha Mushekwi's ability to keep ageing like fine in the Chinese Super League has been attributed to the 'mentality stamina' that keeps driving him.
Mushekwi (36) has scored 16 league goals this season for Zhejiang Professional and is one behind leading scorer Leonardo with four games to play.
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The former Mamelodi Sundowns striker has reached double scoring figures for four years in a row in China after scoring 18 last term, 23 the year before, and 10 in his first season.
Prior to that his numbers read 19, 16, and 15 at Chinese club Dalian Yifang.
"With a player like Nyasha you have to understand, appreciate and praise his mentality," says retired midfielder Bennett Mnguni, who spent time playing in China after his time in Russia.
"The plus for Nyasha is that his physique gives him the edge playing with predominantly shorter Chinese players.
"Those shorter guys give him the confidence and the extra is also that Nyasha is a guy always willing to work.
"Mushekwi has always been a kind of player that can play with anyone because he knows how to play hard.
"In the Chinese Super League, they will reward you handsomely and they pay in dollars and that is what makes it better than South Africa.
"But then to play in China and survive there for that long you must be mentally strong because they will remind you everyday that you are a foreigner.
"There are few black people in China, so you can imagine how the locals will feel about you.
"Africans always have it in them to survive in a lot of places and that is why a guy like Mushekwi is still doing such amazing work there.
"We are people who grew up struggling, so when we get to a foreign country, we don't mind working double what the locals do.
"Mushekwi knows that he is not in China for honeymoon but to work and represent his country well so that he opens opportunities for others after him.
"You can tell that Mushekwi is a kind of guy who understands that there are people who depend on his success back home and doesn't want to go back home with nothing.
"The Chinese will give your money in time and make sure that you are well taken care once they see the effort that you are putting into your game.
"So, I know Mushekwi is being taken care of in that space plus he can stay away from disruptive elements that are all over China.
"If you are not strong in China, it will swallow you because there are too many pubs, massage parlours and the like.
"I don't remember ever hearing that Nyasha drinks recklessly.
"The last time I was him, he was drinking water at the stadium.
"I so wish that some of our South African players can learn from Nyasha and try China for what it is and the benefits it can bring to your pocket," says Mnguni.
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