Former Maritzburg United, CAPS United and Highlanders winger Gabriel Nyoni has officially announced his retirement from football.
Nyoni announced his retirement on Tuesday, 28 June, revealing that he made the decision after failing to fully recover from a foot injury he suffered in 2021. Posting on his social media pages, Nyoni said:
I have officially retired from football. 14 months of specialist and rehabilitation treatment hasn’t yielded the expected result.
I tried my best. I appreciate all the support you gave me during my football career.
Highlanders fans you are special, always family. Caps United fans, you welcomed me like your own.
Maritzburg United you gave me a better chance in life. CAPS United you took great care of me. Thank you so much.
The advice you gave me during my soccer career, please do continuously give me in business.
Nyoni also took an opportunity to thank some individuals who positively impacted his career.
These include former Highlanders coaches, Kelvin Kaindu, Bongani Mafu and Madinda Ndlovu, former Highlanders chief executive officer, Nhlanhla Dube, Caps United coach, Lloyd Chitembwe, and CAPS United owner, Farai Jere, among others.
Nyoni sustained a Lisfranc fracture in a game against Richards Bay FC while playing for Cape Umoya FC in South Africa’s GladAfrica Championship league.
Two wires and three screws were inserted in his foot and he had been given up to last February for doctors to be in a position to ascertain whether he will be able to play again.