JOURNEYMAN

Late bloomer is a coach's dream with his dogged determination.

- Mark Gleeson

When you watch the running and dogged commitment of AmaZulu striker Lehlohonolo Majoro, it is difficult to believe that he is already 36 years old and among the oldest players in the Premier Soccer League.

His work rate as he chases around the pitch in search of goals makes him a coach's dream, but he is the embodiment of a player who kept chasing his dreams, even when the odds were stacked against him, and has achieved at the highest level.

Majoro was something of a late bloomer, debuting in the top flight of South African football just a few days after his 24th birthday, but he has since gone on to play for both Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates and win caps for his country.

"I had been playing competitive football from an early age, even though I'd never been to a proper development school, but I managed to soldier on and finally make it to the PSL. I think we all know that when you come from a rural area, opportunities are few and it's a pretty difficult journey for one to make it, in all industries, be it educational, be it top sport," says Majoro, who is expecting to still be around for a while, but is one of a handful of footballers with a tertiary education and an alternate career path to follow when he hangs up his boots.