Following the devastating news of Lebogang Manyama’s sudden retirement from professional football, his former side Cape Town City has gone down memory lane to celebrate his remarkable career at the club.
Manyama took to social media to announce his forced retirement due to a knee injury on Friday – disclosing that he was miraculously misdiagnosed with a Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) injury, while he had in fact tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
The 32-year-old has been out of action nursing his knee injury since he parted ways with Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs, which resulted to him missing the entire 2022/23 DStv Premiership season.
“Former Cape Town City Captain Lebogang Manyama has announced his retirement from football at the age of 32,” Cape Town City wrote on their Twitter.
“He departs as a club legend, leaving us with so many special memories in a glittering career. Wishing you all the best in the next chapter!”
Former Cape Town City Captain Lebogang Manyama has announced his retirement from football at the age of 32.
He departs as a club legend, leaving us with so many special memories in a glittering career.
Wishing all the best in the next chapter! 💙 pic.twitter.com/izj8gjYKPe
— Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC) July 1, 2023
Manyama does indeed go down as a City legend, as he was the first player to captain the team after chairman John Comitis bought the status of defunct Black Aces in 2016. During the same year, he led the team to glory as they lifted the Telkom Knockout in their debut season.
His stellar performance in Cape Town City colours earned him a move to Europe, where he spent one season with Turkish Super Lig side Konyaspor.
HISTORY MAKER: a record of 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦𝗧𝗦 for City
𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦𝗧 City Captain ©️
𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦𝗧 City Trophy 🏆
𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦𝗧 PSL Top Scorer🥇
𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦𝗧 PSL Player of the Season ✅
𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦𝗧 PSL Player’s Player of the Season 🕺🏿
𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦𝗧 City player to Europe 🌎#iamCityFC pic.twitter.com/utRiHkzrT9— Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC) July 1, 2023
In his emotional social media post, Manyama thanked all his junior and topflight football former teams.
“Thanks to all the junior teams I played for in Alex N and Balfour Park football club. I would like to thank Cape Town Spurs, Cape Town City, Mpumalanga Black Aces, SuperSport United, Kaizer Chiefs and everyone associated with these wonderful institutions for the opportunity.”
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