In the latest edition of Negotiating Behind The Scenes, KickOff catches up with former Witbank Aces goalkeeper Joseph Sibiya.
The Mpumalanga-born keeper reveals how disappointed he was when he realized a move to Mamelodi Sundowns was not going to improve his financial situation.
Who I signed for?
"I got my first pay cheque at Witbank Aces. I spent two months just training with the club before joining. I believe that was in 1988."
How did you find out?
"My former club in Nelspruit played a friendly match with Aces at Kabokweni Stadium. The match ended 0-1 against us.
"After a week, Aces players Cyprian Maimane and Thomas Ngobe came to my place to inform me about their interest.
"They just came to speak to me and my boss in Nelspruit. There was no contract. That's how I moved to Witbank.
"Those days we only signed the league's registration form, there was no contract.
"They just said to me, you are a youngster and this is what we are going to give you. So my salary was R1000. Those days there was no money."
Who was there?
"The former Aces secretary, Sandile."
What surprised you?
"It's just that, it was not about money, it's about how much you wanted to play."
Did you get what you wanted?
"No I didn't. At Aces, I just wanted to play. There was a whole bunch of good players at Aces.
"There was a friendly environment at Aces, even when they relocated to KwaMhlanga we managed to attract the likes of Sello 'Page' Mahlangu, Adam Mabena, Thembinkosi Biyela, and Jerry Madonsela.
"I was at Aces for eight to nine years. I only learned about contracts when I moved to Mamelodi Sundowns."
What you would change?
"Finances. The Aces management didn't have money. What caused Aces to be relegated is, when the club got the Total sponsor, everyone expected to be paid well, when that didn't happen the club was divided. So everyone was divided when the salary remained the same.
"And you wouldn't dare ask the management questions, those days that registration form meant you have signed a lifetime contract. There was no clearance, nothing.
"Those days we had no player's unions and agents, even players from big clubs were complaining.
"I moved to Sundowns assuming things would be better only to find the same problem.
"Once you raise the salary issue they say, 'no this one is not a good player'. I'm talking about something I encountered at Sundowns. You will be promised that your contract will pay this and that, but you will never see that happening.
"It's like they are exploiting you as players. The only time I was happy was at Free State Stars because there I came with the reputation of being a former Mamelodi Sundowns player.
"That's where I earned more than I did at Sundowns. At Stars I had a better contract than the one I had at Sundowns.
"Even today there are players I know in the PSL who still get paid R10 000 to R12 000 a month.
"Don't just focus on football only, as a player make sure you have something to fall back on. That's what I would reverse and change."