In our latest feature Where Are They Now, KickOff catches up with former Orlando Pirates player Sepeke Manamela on life after football.
Who Am I?
"Sepeke Manamela is from Modimolle in Limpopo. He started playing football for a team called Terrors FC.
"Also played for Winners Park in the National First Division (NFD), from there it was PJ Stars. I signed for Orlando Pirates in the 2006/07 Season.
"In the 2009/10 Season, I was loaned to Mpumalanga Black Aces. I also played for Pretoria University in the 2012/13 Season. After my injury, I decided to hang up my boots."
My playing days?
"I'm not happy with them. I didn't reach my potential. You know how it is when you are forever injured."
Did you make money from soccer?
"Not really. Football money is for you to survive. It's the same as working 8 to 5 jobs.
"The only difference is that the football career is short. If you get injured you are out.
"You can only do so much with the football money."
Jobs since playing the game?
"I started a construction company while I was still playing for Tuks. I terminated my contract because the owner said he was going to help me start a company. When that happened it opened my eyes."
If I could do it again?
"I would change my attitude towards the game. I didn't want to go listen to my coaches, I thought to myself, this one couldn't tell anything.
"When you are a player and you know the chairman loves you, you do not want to listen to anybody.
"I didn't listen to my coaches because I thought I knew this game, I could go past anyone.
"I didn't listen to my coaches, and look where I am today."