Correspondent|Former Yadah Stars skipper Brian Mapfumo has hung up his boots in order to focus on coaching.

Mapfumo, 31, has decided to end his playing career and start new avenues as Yadah juniors coach.

The skipper was part of the miracle boys who survived relegation, which turned to be his last dance in the game of football.

His decision to quit football has been received with mixed feelings with some saying it was a premature move.

“I don’t agree with those who say it was a premature move. This was the right time to leave football.

“Yes I still have the energy to play and my age is still okay as well but I feel that I should give youngsters a chance.

“I realised that Yadah now has better and talented youngsters than me. I moved to pave way for them,” Mapfumo told H-Metro.

Mapfumo has represented the country on numerous occasions from under 17, 20, 23 and the national team.

Despite having the PSL oldest player Innocent Benza (46), still playing, Mapfumo said he is happy with his decision and is not going back.

“It’s something I started this year and so far so good, no complaints at all.

“My main aim is now to help scout talent in schools. I am glad prophet encouraged me to do coaching last year while I was still playing and I did so.

“I am a qualified coach with a level one certificate and happy with my decision,” he added.

Mapfumo said he has greater ambitions for his career as he said he dreams of being the next big coach in future.

“I just don’t want to end as a juniors coach and definitely I will be going for the big coaching positions in future.

“But I am taking it one step at a time, I don’t want to rush anything.

“I admire CAPS United coach Lloyd Chitembwe and I look up to him. Prophet is my mentor,” he said.

Mapfumo started his football career at Aces youth Academy and he then moved to Eastern Lions in 2007.

In 2008 he joined Lengthens.

From Lengthens he joined Monomotapa and his career looked brighter for the four years he spent at Monoz.

He left Monomutapa for Botswana Township Rollers in 2013 and came back to Zimbabwe to join CAPS United in 2014.

He also had a short stint with Namibian side Tigers, and played for six months.

In 2016 he then joined Yadah before he retired.

Despite having done all that Mapfumo said he had one regret.

“I have done justice during my days as a player and I am satisfied with the achievements I have made though not many.

“I have achieved enough but there is one thing I wish I should have done. My wish was to play for Dynamos before I hung up my boots,” said Mapfumo.