Former Sundowns defender Schoeman reveals knee injury forced early retirement

Former Mamelodi Sundowns defender Frank Schoeman says a knee injury ended his football career earlier than he wanted, leaving him convinced he could have played for several more years.

Schoeman, speaking to KickOff in an edition of In The Spotlight, said doctors told him he could not continue despite the injury being treatable.

“I won’t say I’m happy because I retired early. Due to my knee injury, I retired too early; I feel I could have stayed a couple of more years. But that’s life; I’m not the only one it happened to. I had a knee…a bone injury, in fact. They could fix it, but still said I couldn’t play. That’s what the doctors said.”

The former defender reflected on a career that included playing alongside several notable figures at Mamelodi Sundowns. Asked to name the best PSL player during his time in the game, he selected Roger Feutmba.

“There was one player that stood out for me, and that was Roger Feutmba. He did some phenomenal things,” Schoeman said.

He also recalled the personalities within the Sundowns squad, mentioning Lovers Mohlala and Fire Masilela as outspoken members of the team. Raphael Chukwu and Kenny Niemach were also described as players with distinctive characters.

Schoeman said his route into professional football began with the Vision 2000 Programme, where Clive Barker and Mich D’ Avray were scouting for Under 23 players across the country.

“They went around the country scouting for Under 23 players. So they came around Port Elizabeth. There were trials, and as they say, the rest is history. And at the same time, Michau Warriors opened, I joined them.”

Asked which player currently in the PSL he rates most highly, Schoeman chose Oswin Appollis, praising his ability with the ball and the way he has responded after facing doubts about his level.

“Oswin Appollis, he is good on the ball. He’s been to this club and that club, and he was told he isn’t good enough, but look where he is now.”

Schoeman also criticised the use and interpretation of the video assistant referee system, saying inconsistent decisions had made VAR one of his biggest frustrations with modern football.

“The VAR. It is frustrating me. It can be a good thing but also a bad thing. One decision is made this week, and a different decision is made next week on a similar incident. I don’t like how the referees interpret the incidents using a VAR.”

If he were offered the chance to return to the PSL today, Schoeman said he would choose a club where his experience could make a difference rather than one already equipped with a strong squad.

“I would definitely choose a club that I can help, not a club that will help me. If I choose Sundowns and Pirates, they will help me because they’ve got all the players, so I would probably choose my home team, Chippa United.”

Schoeman identified Lesley Manyathela as the opponent who had caused him the greatest difficulty. Although he never marked the striker directly, Manyathela repeatedly found ways to score whenever Schoeman was playing.

“Lesley Manyathela. I loved him. A good character and a good mover off the ball. I never man-marked him, but he was always able to score when I was on the field. I respect him for that.”