Marumo Gallants star Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo has opened up about how he dealt with his departure from Orlando Pirates following a three-year spell at the club.
The diminutive attacking midfielder enjoyed a successful stint with the Sea Robbers, winning three MTN8 titles and two Nedbank Cup trophies after joining the Soweto giants in 2022 under former coach Jose Riveiro.
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Ndlondlo was released at the end of the 2024/25 season and ultimately returned to Marumo Gallants, the club he had left for Pirates three years earlier.
Speaking to KICK OFF Magazine in the February edition that is currently on sale, the 30-year-old explained how he processed leaving a club of the Buccaneers’ stature.
“Deep down, I knew that at some point my time at Orlando Pirates would come to an end,” Ndlondlo said.
“When they released the statement that I was leaving, they had already called me to the office beforehand. I said to myself, “Okay, the time is now”.
The midfielder said he needed to understand that his time at the club was up and that he had to start planning for his future. “Where I was going next and how to mentally prepare myself, because leaving a big club is never easy,” he said.
He added that the most important part was acceptance. “When that time came, I had to prepare mentally. I think I was ready, because, as I said, you play knowing that one day you will leave.”
Although he understood that his time at the club would eventually come to an end, Ndlondlo admitted that the decision was emotionally difficult.
“Honestly, it wasn’t easy. After I left, I didn’t have a club, and for almost a month I stayed without engaging with any team,” he added.
“It was quite challenging, and it also created a bit of frustration, wondering how a good player like me could be without a club or why teams were not coming forward seriously to pursue my signature.
“But in the back of my mind, I told myself that everything happens for a reason, and in good time, things will fall into place.
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“So, when the Bafana Bafana call-up came for the African Nations Championship (CHAN), I said to myself, “Okay, things are starting to fall into place now”. I just needed to keep the faith at all times and never lose hope. In the end, everything went well.”
