Former Warriors and Kaizer Chiefs defender Zhaimu Jimmy Jambo admits that the early retirement affected his plans to prepare for life after football.

Jambo was forced to quit playing football after suffering a horrific knee injury in a clash with countryman Tinashe Nengomasha during a Telkom Knockout match against Bidvest Wits in late 2012.

In an interview with The Citizen, a South African newspaper, the 30-year-old former Zimbabwe international revealed how he overcame the nightmare of getting into early retirement.

“The injury didn’t affect me mentally, there was a year where I stayed and worked on rehabilitation, I slowly started to accept that I might have to stop,” Jambo said.

“But I never gave up. I still thought I could come back. I found myself in no man’s land after the injury and retiring.

“I wanted to start a logistics business while I was at Chiefs, but the injury affected my plan. I still want to get into the logistics business. Luckily at the time, I had two properties and some stuff I owned back in Zim, so that helped.”

The former Gunners FC man took a four-year break from all football-related engagements before deciding to pursue a career in coaching.

“I think it is necessary for me to help and give back to young players, football is in my life.

“I felt like I could give back to the community and it hurt me a lot when I retired. Some players in the local league need to work on their technique and their approach to the game. It’s not like I was better, but if we work with young players about passing and controlling the ball, I think they would be on the right path.”

Jambo has already completed his Uefa D and C coaching licenses but has not started looking for coaching work as he wants to complete UEFA B license through Safa’s coaching courses.