It's not just about money

In the unpredictable world of professional football, careers can stall in an instant, sometimes through injury, sometimes through circumstances entirely out of a player's control.

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For seasoned defender Wandisile Letlabika, 2024 was such a year: a long, testing stretch without a club, marked by self-doubt, physical challenges, and the growing silence of unanswered phone calls. But for a player whose career has been shaped by resilience, from his days at Bloemfontein Celtic through other PSL clubs, this was yet another chapter to be navigated with persistence and belief. Now 35, Letlabika's late-season arrival at Kruger United signalled more than just a short-term signing; it marked a personal renaissance. In this interview with Soccer Laduma's Masebe Qina, Letlabika opens up about the emotional toll of being sidelined, the hard work behind his return to full fitness, and the quiet satisfaction of proving the doubters wrong.

Masebe Qina: Wandi, you joined Kruger United late in the season after a lengthy spell without a club. Can you take us through what that period was like for you mentally and professionally?

Wandisile Letlabika: For me, it was a similar situation to what I experienced when I was at Moroka Swallows and the club was sold. I remember at Swallows we were between 10 and 20 players who were released after the sale of the club's top-flight status. After that, it became difficult for some of us to get new clubs. In South Africa, there's this perception that once players reach a certain stage in their careers, they tend to get expensive, but that's not the case for everyone. I spent the entire 2024 looking for a club, but it was difficult. I spoke to people like Tim Sukazi (TS Galaxy president) and coach Lehlohonolo Seema when he was still with Sekhukhune United, but nothing came out of it, even though they tried their best to assist me. 2024 was a tough year for me. I ended up training at Wits in Sturrock Park just to maintain my fitness. I trained with the guys there, hoping I'd get a call from one of the PSL clubs, but that didn't happen.