Puleng Marema proud to reach Polokwane City milestone

The 33-year-old midfielder has been with Rise and Shine since 2012, having signed from Winners Park FC.

He recorded his 300th cap in the 1-0 win over Chippa United in the Betway Premiership at the weekend by setting up match-winner Ndamulelo Maphangule.

The result saw Polokwane maintain third place on the league standings with 28 points from 15 games, just two behind Orlando Pirates in second spot.

Reflecting on his career, an upbeat Marema said in the Sowetan: "It has been a great journey. I think I have an amazing career and for me to be here for many years and achieve such a milestone, I think I can only be proud of myself and all the coaches I worked with and being on my journey.

"The team, the chairman [Johnny Mogaladi] and everyone associated with the team. I'm just happy and I think most of our youngsters can take one or two from me and learn. Hopefully I won't be the first and the last one, I hope there will be another one who reaches the milestone.

"300 games is a big achievement, but the biggest achievement was to take the team back to the Premiership [in 2023].

"I don't regret not leaving Polokwane City. I think it's a blessing in disguise because I'm not sure if I went to another team I was going to achieve such a milestone. I don't regret not leaving the team.

“Honestly, I didn't expect the team to honour me like this, with the supporters also coming with banners and my name on them. My family didn't know they were coming, so it was special. I'm grateful for the team and everyone associated with it.”

Marema is Polokwane City's all-time leading top goal scorer with 70 goals and 88 assists.