DURBAN - Vuyo Mere, the new recruit at Bidvest Wits, still has the burning desire to win more silverware at the age of 34. The well traveled right back commenced his career back in 2001 at Hellenic, and never looked back.
Mere has won every trophy on the domestic front. The flamboyant full back spent six successful years at Mamelodi Sundowns, winning two Premiership crowns, the SAA Super Eight and the Nedbank Cup before leaving for Moroka Swallows in 2011.
He didn't last at Swallows and joined Platinum Stars on a permanent basis after just six months. However, he went on to find more success with Dikwena, winning the MTN8 and Telkom Knockout. Mere has already set his sights on winning more trophies in his spell with Wits.
"When I joined Wits, the first thing that came in to my mind was that I want to win more silverware. I'm at the club that is capable of winning silverware. We started off well. The great feeling of winning cups keeps coming back to me. You can't have enough medals in your cabinet as a player. I want to finish my career on a high. Hopefully, this season we win something. It won't be easy but only God knows," Mere said.
Gavin Hunt has transformed Wits in to a formidable force. He has won three trophies since joining the club. Hunt has delivered the Absa Premiership title, Telkom Knockout and MTN8 crowns.
Asked about how he left Platinum Stars, Mere said: "I had a good relationship with the owners of Cape Umoya (previously known as Platinum Stars). We came to an agreement. They encourage me to stay in the PSL. They even told me that they will help me to stay in the PSL.
"I was a good player and I had enough quality to stay in the elite league. I respect the way they treated me. I'm grateful. My heart was still there. I wanted to stay with them. But they gave me the blessing so that I can find a club in the PSL. I'm grateful for whatever they have done to me."
Signed, sealed and officially Clever Boys 💙 ⚽️ H.Domingo, B.Mzwakali, S.Murray, T.Dzvukamanja, M.Macupu, V.Mere, L.Nonyane, R. Johannes, B.Mhlongo, G.Motupa, D.Hotto #seasonloading #nakanjani pic.twitter.com/gbNS08m5CM
— Bidvest Wits (@BidvestWits) August 2, 2018
Mere has been playing professional football for 17 years but still want to accomplish more. "I want to write my name in to the history book of South African football. I want to leave my mark at Wits by winning trophies," he added.
"I'm here now and I'm focused. What more can I say. I've won every trophy on offer in the country. I don't think I've done enough. Daine Klate still holds that record of winning more trophies. He has six league titles. That shows that you can't have enough trophies. Let me write my own history also," he added.
Mere slammed the people in the country for not celebrating legends like Siyabonga Nomvethe who will hang up his boots next year. Nomvethe is currently with AmaZulu. "If you respect the game, this is what happens. You will stay longer in the game and you will earn the respect that you deserve," he said.
"Siyabonga Nomvethe is the great example. A great servant of the game. We don't appreciate players such as Nomvethe in this country the way they suppose to be treated. Only now we want to give them that respect. We should have done something for Nomvethe long time ago. He gives me hopes that I can still play until 40," Mere explained.