In our latest feature of Where Are They Now, KickOff matches up with former Mamelodi Sundowns and Witbank Aces star Alpheus Mabusela.
The Mamelodi-born former footballer reveals what he has been up to lately.
Who am I?
"Alpheus Mabusela is from Mamelodi in Pretoria, Mamelodi Sundowns recruited me from West Ham Invaders in 1979.
"Sundowns was playing in the National Football League, the second division back then. We played there in 1980 and 1981.
"After winning the league in 1981 we went to the play-offs, but couldn't gain promotion after we were beaten by PG Rangers.
"We only got promoted in 1982 after beating Jingles Pareira-owned team Vaal United 4-0 in the playoffs. We were promoted to the PSL in 1983.
"I went on to captain Witbank Aces. We played two cup finals in one year (1993).
"The BP Top8 against Orlando Pirates, we lost 3-1, and the BobSave Super Bowl against Chiefs.
"Our striker Richard Peer scored the only goal of the match.
"Immediately after the Chiefs final I retired from playing and decided to study bachelor of Administration degree at the University."
Read: The cost of signing for Sundowns: Mdunyelwa ready?
My playing days?
"Back then we played football because of passion, we never cared how much we earned."
Did I make money from soccer?
"There wasn't enough money that I could live with after retiring.
"Our bonuses for beating Chiefs in the BobSave final we received R1500 for each player, it lasted three months (laughs). Unlike what they are getting nowadays in the African Football League."
Where I'm living?
"Right now I'm residing in Mamelodi. I've never moved out of Mamelodi, that's where I was born. I'm married with three kids."
Read: Broos: Why Pitso is not hired in Europe
Jobs since playing the game?
"I've worked at the Department of Home Affairs where I became a regional manager. That was in Ekurhuleni."
Your current job?
"I left the Department of Home Affairs and went into early retirement. I stayed at home for about three years, but right now I'm doing HR for a company called Modern Packaging. I'm their HR manager."
If I could do it again?
"I would save more money. Back then as a youngster, you just wanted to enjoy yourself thinking the future would take care of itself.
"I did save some money but not as I would have loved to. Unlike myself most people who played the game even today are still in soccer, that's because they don't have much of a choice."
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
WATCH: