A Kaizer Chiefs coach, who is also a product of Amakhosi's youth development, explained why his football career was cut short.
Tshidiso Letsholonyane, who is the younger brother of Reneilwe Letsholonyane, came through the ranks at Naturena, where in 2009 the 28-year-old signed a three-year contract at the club and was thereafter loaned out.
"My football career was not the best a footballer could wish for, but from every challenge I faced, it was a lesson and an opportunity for me to grow," he explained on Chiefs' official website.
"I started playing football at the age of 8 and joined the Kaizer Chiefs Youth Development in 2009. I played for the under 19 team and then moved to the reserve team a year later."
"I was loaned out to a National First Division side Dynamos FC," he recollects. "I was there for a season but didn't get that much of a game time though. It was a disappointing experience for me but I never looked back. I continued to focus on the future."
"I came back to Chefs from the loan spell and spent the last 2 years of my contract in the reserves team where I enjoyed my football and we won the SAB league. The Kaizer Chiefs U-19 was coached by legend Ace Khuse when we won the SAB League in 2013/14 season."
"I went on to try my luck at another National First Division side Thanda Royal Zulu. I struggled to secure a contract due to a recurring knee injury."
"I felt I no longer had the desire to play football and that's when I decided to take a different route. I decided to go to school and do a short course to help kick start any role in a football environment. I did a Sports Coaching Science course with Trifocus Fitness Academy. I am glad Kaizer Chiefs offered me the opportunity to do my practical in the Development Academy," Letsholonyane explained.
