SuperSport striker Bradley Grobler rules out retirement

SuperSport striker Bradley Grobler rules out retirement

At 35 years of age, there is little that the SuperSport United all-time leading goalscorer Bradley Grobler has left to accomplish. Grobler has been a real force for Matsatsantsa since joining the club from Ajax Cape Town (now Cape Town Spurs) in 2013.

The striker has made over 100 appearances for the Tshwane outfit and when football supporters felt that it would have been easy for him to call it a career after reaching his 100th PSL goal, Grobler intends to make quite a few more achievements.

The Bafana Bafana striker has enjoyed a glittering career during the last decade. The veteran’s trophy cabinet includes two Nedbank Cup titles, one MTN8 title, one Telkom Knockout title and named the 2020/2021 PSL top goalscorer. The only major club honour he’s failed to win is the Premiership.

BRADLEY GROBLER STILL HAS A LOT TO OFFER

It’s clear that Grobler doesn’t yet feel ready to bring down the curtain on his remarkable 22-year career. The SuperSport goal-poacher says he still wants to keep going, as he feels he has more to offer.

“I still would like to keep playing, I intend to play for as long as I can. I feel really good currently,” Grobler told journalists.

“Reaching the record of PSL all-time goalscorer is something I would definitely want to go for. It has been a bit of a difficult sport for me. I think over the seasons I missed through injuries.

“I have fought different operations, but it is what it meant to be, and it has been good, I have enjoyed it and I still have got a lot to offer.”

AGE NOT AN ISSUE FOR VETERAN SUPERSPORT UNITED STRIKER

Grobler turned 35 in January and due to being injury free this season, he kept on playing more games. The last thing far from the former Platinum Stars striker’s mind right now is retirement.

“You know as the years go, we get older, you get older every day. Over years, you get old, over months you get old,” he added.

“At the moment, out of 21 games, I think I played 20 games and missed one through Covid-19. I think at my younger age, I could not play over 20 games and this season I have done it. And I feel good, I can finish 90 minutes, so for me, I would rather not put time on when I am retiring. ut there is no doubt that I can go for a few years.”

ALSO READ: OPINION: Bradley Grobler is a proven goal scoring machine 

OPINION: Bradley Grobler is a proven goal scoring machine 

OPINION: Bradley Grobler is a proven goal scoring machine 

Credit should be given were it’s due, SuperSport United prolific goal finder Bradley Grobler has reached a 100 milestone Premier Soccer League goals tally recently. This came when his side registered a 2-0 convincing win over Maritzburg United. 

He is a typical example of a good football striker. 

Reaching this extra ordinary target is something very uncommon for local strikers. Grobler is a natural goal getter with lot of desire for goals despite his age.

 The only problem we have in this country is that national squad coach selectors always turn a blind-eye on high performing players and select mediocrity. Unfortunately players in this country are not selected on merit. 

Grobler can still add much needed experience at the national team level. He is a natural born striker, lately nature hasn’t been offering us such players anymore. 

BAFANA COACH HUGO BROOS MUST DO THE RIGHT THING 

This is one striker who is very good in the aerial attack, the national team lacks in that department, coach Hugo Broos must just swallow his pride and include him in the national team set-up, it’s not so late to do so, he is tried and tested. 

SUPERSPORT UNITED STRIKER BRADLEY GROBLER UNSTOPPABLE 

Since his days with the now defunct Platinum Stars, he made scoring goals his habit. Although they were on-going unfounded rumours about him joining one of the biggest team in the league last year, he never lost himself in the process. He kept it professional and get committed to his current club. He is repaying them by scoring those vital goals.

Grobler is now at level with Peter Shalulile of Mamelodi Sundowns with 9 league goals. Judging by his current performance he can reach double figures this season. 

When it comes to all time PSL goal scorers with more than 100 goals, Grobler joins former Bafana Bafana star Siyabonga Nomvethe  who holds the record of 123 goals, followed by Mamelodi Sundowns great Daniel Mudau who scored 110 goals, the same tally managed by the much traveled Mabhuti Khenyeza  and former Jomo Cosmos captain Maule ‘Tico Tico’ Bucuane struck 104 times while Mbesuma is just a goal behind with 103 strikes. 

In Argentina for an example they still select Angel Di Maria irrespective of his age, simply because he can still find the back of the net, meanwhile in France you find a player like Olivier Giroud who has been in the business of scoring goals for the longest time he still get the call-up and perform according to the expectations , to be precise European nations always balance their squads with experienced players and upcoming stars. 

Congratulations to Grobler, keep the goals coming. 

By Khathu Mafadza.

*Mafadza is a former sports journalist at Northern Media Group. He writes this Opinion piece in his personal capacity.

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