In this week's edition of My First Pay Cheque, KickOff catches up with former Kaizer Chiefs and Strasbourg FC midfielder Michael Nkambule.
Nkambule reveals how he regrets negotiating with clubs without an agent.
Who you signed for?
"I started earning my first proper salary in France playing for Strasbourg. The very same club Katlego Mphela played for. I got my first salary in 2004.
"So my first pay cheque in football came in Euros. Because of what we used to get at the Kaizer Chiefs reserve side, I wouldn't call it a salary; it was an allowance. We used to get R350.
"So I was so excited when I started earning my first proper salary because, as a youngster, that was a lot of money."
How much was it?
"It was something above a thousand Euros, R10 000 if you converted the money to rands."
How did you celebrate your first pay cheque?
"Since I was in France, I just spoilt myself by buying Adidas takkies; the thing is, the lifestyle over that side is slower compared to ours this side where there are spots like chesanyama and so on."
What did you buy yourself?
"What I remember is the adidas Climacool takkie. I have just forgotten how much it costs me, but I paid in cash."
Did it last you the whole month?
"It did because I used to eat at the academy. There was no freedom of movement, and you were not allowed to eat food from outside the Strasbourg Academy.
"They would regularly monitor our body fats and stuff. We were not allowed to touch stuff like McDonald's; everyone had to eat at the academy."
Are you happy with the money you made from football?
"To be honest, I feel like there's somewhere I was robbed a lot. But as you know, we can't cry over spilled milk. Life goes on.
"When I returned from France to play here at home, I was too careful of the agents, so I decided to handle my negotiations with clubs. I was still a youngster who only wanted to play professional football, so I undervalued myself."