After making his AmaZulu FC debut, 27-year-old goalkeeper Andile Mbanjwa has opened up on his “tough journey”, revealing how he came close to quitting football.
Mbanjwa featured when the Durban-based side played a 1-1 draw with Orlando Pirates in the Betway Premiership clash this past Saturday.
He has been with Usuthu since July 2023, patiently waiting for his chance while Veli Mothwa, Olwethu Mzimela [now on loan], and recently, Richard Ofori, were seemingly ahead of him in the pecking order.
Mbanjwa’s journey in professional football began at the now-defunct Bidvest Wits youth structures before he joined Umthatha Bucks in the 2017/18 season. The following campaign, he signed for Richards Bay FC, spending three seasons with them before he was released.
For two seasons, the former SA U23 goalkeeper was without a club, enduring numerous unsuccessful trials. He even considered quitting football altogether to pursue other ventures. However, AmaZulu offered him a trial, ultimately signing him after he impressed.
MBANJWA ON TOUGH JOURNEY BEFORE JOINING AMAZULU
“I was at Bidvest Wits development, I was there for four years,” said Mbanjwa after making his long-awaited debut.
“And from there, I went to Mthatha Bucks, then Richards Bay. I stayed there for a long time. We started at KZN academy with the likes of Sandile [Mthethwa]. I think I was 15, so we’ve had a long time together.
“During my Richards Bay stint, I played for national team. I played the AFCON [Under 23] and CHAN. And after that, when I came back to Richards Bay. They decided not to renew my contract and at the time I wasn’t upset. I thought I was going to get the team.
“But it went quiet for a long time and I didn’t want to go down to much lower levels. I went for trials everywhere but it was difficult. I had thoughts of just quitting football because things weren’t working out.
“But I remember when I got a [phone] call that AmaZulu wanted to see me. I was in Johannesburg at the time and I was surprised. I was so broke, I had to borrow the money to get there.
“They were in Pietermaritzburg, I arrived there and we played. They said they wanted to see me play in the [KZN] Premier’s Cup.
“Luckily, they signed me. It’s been a journey with ups and downs, very frustrating but a very positive one because I was able to get an opportunity.”
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