Polokwane City midfielder Puleng Marema has revealed why he rejected Kaizer Chiefs. The 35-year-old has played for Rise and Shine since 2012. He stayed despite offers from several clubs. Speaking to iDiski Times, Marema admitted he initially regretted his decision.
“At first, yeah, I had a lot of regrets,” Marema told iDiski Times.
He then explained how finances influenced his thinking at the time.
“The reality is, if you want to go to another team, it is obviously because of money. Football is about money. But there was a point when the chairman gave me the biggest contract that I could never refuse. That contract, at that time, I can probably say I’m sure there were some players at big teams that I was earning more than they were.”
Choosing happiness over fame
However, Marema emphasized that happiness ultimately shaped his decision. Polokwane City’s captain chose stability instead of chasing fame or bigger clubs.
“So, there was no way for me to go to Chiefs when I was happy here at home in Polokwane. The move to another club would have been about money.We all want to show something after football,” added Marema.
Over 14 years, Marema has made more than 200 appearances and scored 37 goals.
Thinking beyond football
Furthermore, Marema focused on long-term security rather than short-term success. He believed trophies mean little without financial stability after retirement.
“It doesn’t help if I won 10 league trophies and the top eight cup, but then after football, I don’t have money. So, now I must show trophies while my kids are suffering? For me, it’s an achievement to win something, but I was thinking about the bigger picture.
“What will happen after? Because, say I went to Chiefs, and they offered me a three-year, anything could happen after that. It’s football; they could have said goodbye even before the end of the contract. And you know the kind of pressure at those big clubs. Would I still be around playing like I am now?”
At 35, Marema is unlikely to join Kaizer Chiefs. Nevertheless, his legacy at Polokwane City remains strong. He may also move into coaching in the near future.
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