When fame is gone

Football is funny, you shine and become a star when you perform, and come to the attention of the media houses and supporters. You are everywhere and mingle with ‘A-List’ celebrities because you are famous and have money, some even deserting family members and friends that you grew up with.

One forgets that there will be a time for retirement at 35 in football, but in real life from that age you are still young that’s when real life starts. Some of the big players who took that route, we saw how they vanished just like water through the sand.

I remember in 2005, while I was studying in Jozi I was staying at Diepkloof extension and we were standing at the robots of D. Extension with my friends when we noticed our favourite player by that time Tso Vilakazi in the car.

We were trying to greet him so desperately but he just looked at us and never responded to our greetings. We were so hurt, but that’s life.

So, the aftermath of soccer comes, and most players struggle and prefer to hide back in locations rural areas, no more Sandton Big houses. The role that is being played by SABC Sports and SuperSport to bring out these players to give them a lifeline to be sports analysts is amazing.

I am just wondering if such platforms were not there, most of them would be poor. Also, KICK OFF plays a role in putting these players in their magazine. If the current bunch of players don’t learn from their peers’ mistakes, they will go down the same road. Soccer is not a lifetime job, even coaches get fired when their records speak volumes about their ability.

I’m saying this after reading the story of James Mayinga in KICK OFF issue 516. It has inspired m not to give up in life, even if you failed numerous time. I really thank SuperSport for giving him a chance again, players need to lay off the bad habits.

Thabang Letsholo, Kimberley, Northern Cape