I will still carry on, says Fischer

Battle-hardened Big Bullets winger Fischer Kondowe has said he has no plans of hanging up his boots anytime soon.

The dreadlocked midfielder, who will turn 40 next year, said this amid speculation that he, like Chilapondwa, is also considering to retire.

“It is unfortunate that some people are posting on social media that I am quitting because I am old while others are suggesting that I should follow Chilapondwa’s move.

“But let me make it very clear that I will not be forced into retirement. I might have played football at the top level for sometime, but I do not feel like quitting now,” said Fischer in an interview with The Nation on Tuesday.

He also said when time is ripe for him to take a bow, he will make a public announcement.

“The move by Chilapondwa to retire is commendable, but we are two different persons and I should not be forced into retirement just because a fellow veteran has done that.

“I believe I still have something to offer as a player,” said Fischer, who was being used as a substitute for the better part of the just-ended season.

Former Bullets and Flames captain Peter Mponda said it is a trend on the domestic scene to force players who have played for sometime into retirement.

“It is a very unfortunate tendency. Fischer has vast experience as a player and he still has something to offer to up-coming players.

“I am sure that when the right time comes for him to quit, he will do so,” said Mponda.

Apart from Bullets, Fischer had stints with Umtata Bushbucks, Black Leopards and Bloemfontein Celtic in South Africa.

He has been a key member of Bullets since 1999 and was part of their dream team which qualified for the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League in 2004 and remains a darling of the club’s faithful because of his loyalty and passion towards the team. n