Rodney ‘Rama G’ retires from professional football

LIMPOPO – Rodney ‘Rama G’ Ramagalela, the former striker for Black Leopards, Polokwane City, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Golden Arrows, has announced his retirement from professional football.

The 2017/18 DStv Premiership League top goal scorer retired last week following an injury he sustained while playing for the University of Pretoria in the Motsepe Foundation Championship League last season.

Born in Mamvuka, Nzhelele, Ramagalela started his soccer career at the age of 15 with the Mabvula All Stars amateur team. He later joined Black Leopards’ development side, Phungo All Stars, and earned a spot on the first team in 2009 after impressing the technical staff. Reflecting on his career, he mentioned some of the players he enjoyed playing with at Black Leopards, including Mulondo Sikhwivhilu, Thokozani Mnguni, Mongezi Bobe, and Christopher Netshidzivhe.

Although retired from professional play, Ramagalela remains deeply involved in football. He now focuses on soccer development, aiming to guide young players, especially those growing up in today’s environment. “The youth need serious guidance, as dedication to the sport is lacking,” he said.

He expressed concern over the commercialisation of soccer and the constant player transfers, which he says confuses fans. He said it is important to work hard, and warned against the pursuit of quick money, saying how his own career was built on passion rather than financial gain. He also urged young players to stay away from drugs and illegal activities, encouraging them to work hard instead and trust that the benefits will follow.