Bafana Bafana captain and legend Lucas Radebe has issued a plea to current Premier Soccer League players to understand the importance of preparing for life after football.
'Rhoo', as he was famously known, was part of the Bafana side that lifted the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations title – a feat yet to be replicated by any other generation of South African players.
READ | Broos backs Pirates star to replace Themba Zwane
Radebe also played for Kaizer Chiefs before what would be his most memorable stint with Premier League then-giants Leeds United.
The former no-nonsense centre-back is one of few Mzansi players who have enjoyed a successful career post-football both as an analyst and an ambassador for multiple brands – popular snack brand Lays being the latest.
Speaking at the No Lays No Game UEFA Champions League event at the Discovery Park Soccer Club on Tuesday night, Radebe issued a plea to current professional footballers to follow suit.
"Look, I mean, it’s cruel hey, football? You have the spotlight on you your entire career," Radebe noted.
"Yes, it’s a fantastic career, but it’s not about the glitz and stuff. Because once you play football, you become famous and stuff, you forget the post the game. But I think the important thing is to not just be a footballer, is to make an impact as a football player.
"But it takes a lot of sacrifice. It takes a lot of commitment and it’s what you realise while you are active that makes who you are post the game.
"It’s not now that I’ve finished that I realise [that I have to have a good reputation]. No, it's while you’re playing. How you behave in front of the media, how you behave in front of people. How you behave even in the field of play.
"Because the fans are watching, people are watching, they can see some great values out of a footballer.
ALSO READ | 'In rugby you can do that!' - Pirates deserved TWO penalties against Chiefs, rules top ref
"I’m not the best, I wasn’t the best footballer ever. There were better footballers in this country. There were great guys who could have [had great careers post-football]. I was just a defender.
"But it’s what football meant to me that built the character that I am when I knew that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Not just to play at the highest level, but to make a living out of the game post my career."
There are several players who have somewhat followed the Radebe-route since retirement, including Teko Modise, Doctor Khumalo and Siphiwe Tshabalala, among others. These former Bafana stars have maintained their relevance and taken on multiple ambassadors or gone on to start their own projects.
"It’s all about collaboration, they (corporations) will want players to enhance their brands and vice versa. Obviously, if you’ve done well," Radebe added.
"The thing for me is that if these players (current PSL players) can realise that..."
"What Teko (growing his brand) is doing now, realising you are father, you are brother and other things [outside of football]. Not just Teko, Shabba is also doing absolutely well, Doctor is doing well."
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
Click HERE to register!
