Thabang Monare has made his intentions unmistakably clear: retirement is not on the agenda. The 36-year-old midfielder, freshly released by Sekhukhune United following the conclusion of the recent Betway Premiership campaign, insists his body and his ambition are both telling him the same thing - carry on. For any club in South Africa's top flight searching for experience and leadership in the engine room, the message could hardly be more direct.
Monare's standing in South African football was built across years of service at some of the country's most prominent clubs, most notably Orlando Pirates, where he became a recognisable figure in Bucs colours before earning his move to Babina Noko. His CV also includes an AFCON bronze medal, a distinction that speaks to his pedigree at international level. The off-season, for all its unpredictability - not unlike scanning womens bulgarian nvl superliga odds for something entirely outside your usual sphere - has so far been quiet on the phone front, with no formal approaches received since his departure from Sekhukhune.
What makes Monare's situation genuinely interesting is the data underpinning his confidence. He was no bit-part player at Sekhukhune last term, featuring in 27 league matches and operating as a dependable presence in the heart of midfield. That level of availability and consistency, at 36, is not commonplace. Speaking to KickOff, Monare admitted his own physical condition has surpassed what he anticipated at this stage of his career. "My current physical condition exceeds my own expectations; I am confident I can perform at a high level for another season," he said. He is currently training independently, maintaining his fitness while the transfer market finds its rhythm around him.
Two More Seasons: A Realistic Target, Not a Vanity Project
Monare has set a target of two additional campaigns at the highest level of South African football before any serious conversation about hanging up his boots. That kind of self-awareness - framing a timeline rather than speaking in open-ended terms - tends to come from players who know their bodies well and have managed their careers with discipline. His longevity at the top level of the PSL is itself a product of that discipline, having transitioned from the high-pressure environment of Orlando Pirates to a leadership role at Sekhukhune without a steep decline in output.
"I believe I can contribute for another two seasons at that level. I am not retiring this season," Monare stated plainly. The Betway Premiership remains his primary target, and he expressed confidence in his ability to compete within it, even if he stopped short of naming specific clubs. The broader market will determine whether a Premiership side moves quickly enough to secure his services.
Family, Geography, and an Open Mind on Division
There is a personal dimension to Monare's next move that goes beyond football alone. Having spent years away from home in the service of the game, the veteran has indicated that proximity to family will carry genuine weight in any negotiations. Reports have linked him with clubs in the Mpumalanga province - among them Kruger United, The Bees FC, and Phezulu FC - all sides that operate outside the Premiership but within reach of home.
Monare has not closed the door on a move to a lower division, provided the terms make sense. "I am open to joining teams in lower divisions, depending on the outcome of negotiations," he confirmed. It is a pragmatic stance, and one that reflects the reality facing a free agent in his mid-thirties, however capable he remains physically. The top flight is the preference; the lower tiers are the contingency, not the concession.
A Free Agent the Market Would Be Wise Not to Ignore
South African football has a complicated relationship with its experienced domestic players. Veterans of Monare's calibre can sometimes be overlooked in favour of younger, cheaper options - only for clubs to realise too late what they passed on. A midfielder with 27 league appearances at 36, an AFCON medal, and Pirates pedigree is not a project; he is a ready-made solution for any side that needs composure, leadership, and reliability in the centre of the park.
Whether a Premiership club acts before pre-season schedules tighten, or whether Monare finds himself beginning a new chapter closer to home in the lower divisions, his career is far from written. The boots stay on - that much is settled.
