Former Orlando Pirates’ out-and-out striker Ralph Matema has called it time on his playing career back home in Zimbabwe to close a chapter on a romance with the game that spanned 19 years.
The 40-year-old has hung his boots after spending four seasons with Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League midtable side Yadah Stars FC.
Ralph Matema is quoted as having told Zimbabwe’s State-owned H-Metro that he would relocate to the United States to embark on a coaching journey now that he has bowed out.
The striker has retired weeks after scoring a solitary goal that helped Yadah to a 1-0 win over fancied Dynamos FC in Harare in a league encounter in what was his fourth league goal of the ongoing campaign.
“I can confirm that I have retired from playing football. I played my part. It’s never a good thing to overstay on the stage. I will cherish all the great moments I had in my career,” he is quoted saying.
“I hope I did enough to inspire at least one or two youngsters who I believe have created an opportunity for them with my retirement.”
The 2006 Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League Golden Boot Award winner with 19 goals said he would link up with his brother in America to begin obtaining coaching badges.
“For the next few months, I will be staying in the United States of America with my brother, where I’m scheduled to attend a coaching course,” he further told H-Metro.
Ralph Matema made a name at Triangle, then Highlanders, where he emerged as a leading scorer paving the way for his big-money move to Pirates in the 2007/08 Premier Soccer League season.
However, the forward did not live up to expectations of the Buccaneers, primarily due to injuries. He ended up leaving for a loan spell at Witbank Spurs.
Matema returned home before resurfacing in South Africa around 2014 when he had a stint with Jomo Cosmos.
The left-footed striker started his professional football career with the defunct Kambuzuma United in Zimbabwe.
