I'm not done with football

At 40, Lindokuhle Mbatha remains one of the most enduring figures in South African football. Having recently parted ways with TS Galaxy, many might expect the veteran midfielder to start winding down. But Mbatha isn't done yet, not by a long shot. With a professional career that has spanned nearly two decades and included stints at Platinum Stars, Mamelodi Sundowns and Highlands Park, Mbatha has seen and done it all. In this interview with Soccer Laduma's Masebe Qina, the well-travelled midfielder opens up about his unexpected exit from Galaxy, his strong belief in longevity, what keeps him going, and what the future might hold - both on the field and beyond.

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Masebe Qina: Lindo, the news has come out that you've officially parted ways with TS Galaxy. Can you walk us through how that decision came about?

Lindokuhle Mbatha: Thank you, my brother. Yes, I am no longer with TS Galaxy, as you rightly said, and at the moment I’m training on my own while I weigh up my options before deciding on the next step. That's all I can really say for now. I'm taking my time and will make a decision in the coming weeks. I'm also using the opportunity to spend time with my family, which is a good thing, you know. But I’m not just sitting at home doing nothing. I’m still training - sometimes I train with some local guys in and around Johannesburg, and it’s something I really enjoy.

MQ: Was this something you saw coming, or did it catch you by surprise?

LM: Football is something else, and over the years in this game I’ve learned to expect anything. But to answer your question, I didn’t see this one coming. I was confident that I had done enough to stay with the club. But it is what it is - I'm no longer with the team. Like I say, in football you must always expect the unexpected. We can plan as much as we want for our careers and everything else, but ultimately God is the one who decides our journeys and destinations. What I can tell you is that I’m not done with football. I still want to play, and I’m confident that it will happen.

MQ: What has kept you going all these years?