Luvuyo Memela has had a hand-in-glove effect with AmaZulu since making the switch from Orlando Pirates at the start of the campaign. But Amigo has opened up on the difficult decision he had to make in leaving the Sea Robbers.
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Memela enjoyed a fruitful five-year spell with the Buccaneers, despite the fact that it yielded no trophies.
With Pirates strengthening their squad for the inaugural DStv Premiership campaign, it was widely believed that the tricky winger would form a pivotal part of Pirates' plans, especially considering his fine performances for the club last season.
Scroll through the gallery above for some of Memela's best moments in his five-year stay with Pirates.
However, it wasn't to be as the 33-year-old surprisingly parted ways with the club to join Usuthu.
Speaking to Soccer Laduma edition 1201, Memela opens up on the tough decision to leave Pirates.
"It was not easy, I won't lie to you. It was not okay, but at the end of the day, we know that as much as we play for big teams, not everybody is going to be like (Lucky) Lekgwathi or Happy Jele. At least what you can do is that you are always going to cherish every moment. It was not easy, but if you know what you are about in life and in football… obviously, as a footballer, you had goals and teams you wanted to play for. Sometimes it does go according to how you wanted, but other times it doesn't.
"So, for me, it was important that I play for football and I don't stress much about other things. Yes, it was difficult to leave, but no matter how difficult it is, but as long as you are playing football," he explained.
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Memela shed further light on the breakdown in negotiations with Pirates, a situation that he says took five months to resolve.
"In business, obviously, if two parties don't agree, then nothing will materialise, you see? That's how it happened. We didn't agree as both parties, so we decided to leave it. We couldn't find a solution and, at the end of the day, it's life. If you agree on terms you are not happy with, then not even a month after that, you will be this person who is moody, you know.
"We spoke and they understood that. They said I should not make a decision just because I wanted to stay, but I should rather make a decision where I will be happy," Memela explained.
In this week's edition of Soccer Laduma, Memela also discusses:
- leaving Pirates without a trophy
- Working with coach Ayanda Dlamini
- AmaZulu's ambitions this season
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