Africa-Press – Rwanda. Rwanda international Steve Rubanguka is already planning for life after football, a career he officially quit on November 9.
His retirement marked the end of his 11 years playing football professionally.
During his career, Rubanguka played for various clubs across the world including Spartakos Kitiou FC, RFC Wetteren, Patro Eisden, K. Rupel Boom in Belgium; Karaiskakis in Greece; Zimbru Chișinău in Moldova and Al-Nojoom in Saudi Arabia, his last club before calling it quit.
But what’s next for the 29-year-old?
Rubanguka said his decision was not due to any negative reason but because he wants to pursue new opportunities.
“I decided to retire not because I lacked energy or a love for football, but because I felt that my role in football was over. I had given everything I could,” the former midfielder told Times Sport.
He added that he has always been thinking about a backup plan after football.
“I felt that the time had come to start another phase of building my life and putting into practice what football had taught me,” he said.
“I have decided to end this chapter of my life. Not out of dislike, but because something new and positive has begun.”
What had football given you in your career?
Football taught me discipline, patience, and other experiences I will never forget. It is my foundation and I thank God for giving me strength to play at high level.
I am proud to have represented my country and I thanked the coaches, my agents, and my teammates across all the clubs I played for.
What are going to do next after retiring?
I now have an investment business that requires ample time and energy. It is a project that I love very much, and I want to build it on an international level. So it required to take a big decision to put my whole heart into this new path.
I am not regretting anything because what I am going to do is important for my life.
Your proud moment(s) of your career?
To have played for Amavubi National Team. With this, I have exceeded his dreams.
Any disappointment?
What hurt me was when you work hard but don’t get the recognition you deserve. But it taught me to be strong and work from the heart, not to please others.
What lessons have you learnt from football?
Knowing that winning or losing comes from mindset.
Football also gave me the ability to think like an investor because of the people I met. I visited many countries and I was inspired to explored every opportunity.
I am trying to expand my business and I believe that it will keep growing. We give loans only to companies and not individuals.
Advice for young players?
They need to have energy, working hard, discipline and focus.
Without power, mind you cannot achieve anything; so they need to work hard because football is one of the best sports you can play. It brings joy and even money.
They have to be consistent and competent in this career. They must also dream big.
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