FORMER Warriors and Kaizer Chiefs international Jimmy Jambo has retired from football after failing to recover from a recurring knee injury sustained in 2012, bringing to a painful end a short and glorious footballing career.
HENRY MHARA SPORTS REPORTER
The 26-year-old damaged both the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments of his right knee during a 2012 Telkom Knockout match between Kaizer Chiefs and Bidvest Wits following a clash with Tinashe Nengomasha.
Ligaments are tough bands of tissue that connect bones.
It was initially thought that Jambo would return to the game after the injury, but, according to Kaizer Chiefs manager Bobby Motaung, the left-back has struggled every time he was given a chance to train, hence his decision to hang up his boots.
Motaung revealed the news at the club’s Press conference yesterday morning at Naturena, South Africa.
“I can tell you right now that the one foreign space in the team is the one which has been opened by Jimmy Jambo who had to hang up his boots. He decided to focus on other things as we tried to give him a chance, but he could not handle it,” said Motaung.
The Amakhosi also took to their official Twitter handle in confirming the news by tweeting, @Kaizer_Chiefs “Jimmy Jambo has decided to hang up his boots because of his injury.”
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The defender’s departure has seen Chiefs sign Moroka Swallows leftback Levy Mokgothu as cover for Tsepo Masilela.
Jambo joined Kaizer Chiefs in 2010 after three successful seasons with Gunners where he helped the team win the league title the previous season.
At Chiefs, Jambo made 54 appearances and has nine senior national team caps. As news of his early retirement was made public, his supporters took to the social media with words of encouragement.
Some are angry with Nengomasha, blaming the gritty midfielder of ruining his fellow countryman’s career while others want Chiefs to give Jambo a position at the club.
Meanwhile, Ovidy Karuru’s chances of joining Kaizer Chiefs are becoming thin despite the midfielder having signed a pre-contract with the club last week.
Reports had suggested that the 25-year midfielder would be unveiled at a club Press conference yesterday morning, but was not part of the five players who were announced at Naturena.
The Soweto giants yesterday unveiled Zitha Macheke, Pule Ekstein, Mokgothu, Chris Matombo and Siphelele Mthembu.
Motaung, speaking at the Press conference said they were still looking at Karuru with the hope of signing him. However, a source at Chiefs said the Warriors’ midfielder’s only hope now of joining the club is if the Soweto giants fail to get their number one target Knowledge Musona.
“We are still in the market, we are still looking at Ovidy Karuru, we are giving him time,” said Motaung.
But a source said a decision on Karuru has already been made and the technical team wants him, but his situation has been complicated by the possible availability of Musona who is currently with his parent Bundesliga club TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.
“At the moment, as we speak, Musona is still going through rehabilitation for the injury he suffered during the Caf Champions League, and when he went to German he could not be assessed. I know many people are asking about where Musona will be. I can tell you now that in the next week we will be making an announcement about his next move. You should understand he is an international player and he needs the best for himself. We will let you know,” Motaung said at yesterday’s Press conference.
Fans on Jambo
Adolf Shokane Chiloane wrote: “Farewell Jambo jet. You served Khosi with distinction. Good luck with your future endeavours and God bless you. Khosi forever . . . fearless!”
Kopano Rraagwe Thero Mpops, @Jambo “Be positive boy. When one door closes, the other one opens. The Lord is with you my boy. Keep your head high #Jambo.”
Sya Fadiga Zulu: “I’m a Orlando Pirates fan, but eish sorry boy and Tinashe also. I’m feeling sorry you boy (Tinashe) because some people don’t understand football so they will keep on blaming you for what was purely a mistake.”
Gerrard Sgora Maile: “But then Kaizer Chiefs should give him a position somewhere in the team. My concern is what will he do for a living since he is still so young.”
Tumelo Agrippa: “You cannot blame Nengomasha, it could have been another player. Injuries are part of the game. It’s only Kaizer Chiefs now who must do something about Jimmy’s future. They can help him with a bursary or maybe give an office job.”
Ayanda Mayaya Sibisi said: “Eish this is so sad. Hard luck man, hope you find other means to fill your pockets and live again. The Khosi nation will miss you.”
