Franklin Cale (pictured) has officially called it quits on a very successful 20-year pro career to focus full-time on coaching.
No Bones with Jones can confirm that the 42-year-old former Ajax Cape Town, Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United left winger will no longer be available for selection for coach Gerald Stober’s Seaside Spurs Second Division outfit, where he has been playing for the previous two seasons. He also played one season in the Third Division.
According to Cale, the time has come to shift his focus to new challenges. “Yes, brother, I’m officially hanging up my boots,” Cale revealed to No Bones with Jones. “I want to focus on coaching full-time and learn from Coach Stober as he is intelligent and has a good football brain.
“So, that is where my focus will be going forward. I’ve already got my Caf D-licence and I’m working towards the C-licence. So, I will have other things that will keep me busy, therefore, I decided to hang up my boots,” he added.
Cale is one of a few players from the ghetto who has defied the odds to carve out a career and a reputation. Cale had blistering pace and dangerous left foot left foot that packed a punch. On his achievements over the years, he said. “I’m very grateful and have no regrets. But now is the time to give back to others,” Cale added.
‘Bolo’ as Cale is also called, ended his pro career with Ubuntu in the First Division in 2018. Since then, Cale, who was part of Ajax Cape Town’s golden generation, has been trying to unearth and develop young footballers at his Spurs club as well as the greater Ocean View area.
Cale, who started his career with FC Fortune, featured in over 300 top-flight matches in the PSL, with two stints at Ajax and one with Highlands Park FC in 2017. Cale also made five appearances for Bafana Bafana during the 2009/’10 season.
