Mnyamane looks ahead to when his career ends
AT 22, the last thing a footballer would probably think about is life after football. At that age some footballers think about their next car and where next weekend’s party is at.
Many would not even think about school and how important it is to have something to fall back on when football can no longer put food on the table.
But Thabo Mnyamane is different. The University of Pretoria midfielder has big dreams off the pitch.
He wants to be a motivational speaker for youngsters who think school is a waste of time. He even wants to have his own surgery one day or help to develop products.
In short, he wants to be a brand, like David Beckham or Cristiano Ronaldo, individuals who not only model underwear and have their names associated with big sports brands, but who change people’s lives.
And there’s nothing stopping Mnyamane from doing that.
After all, the youngster from Sebokeng has a sports science diploma and plans on working towards getting a degree and later his masters.
And he wants to do all this while playing football.
Mnyamane played for amateur side Junior Lions FC as a teenager, the same club Orlando Pirates winger Thabo Rakhale played for, and says their coach, Paseka Moqholosane, encouraged players to focus on both football and school.
“The coach at Junior Lions had a connection at the university in North West and we got scholarships to study. I got my sports science diploma, but to have a practice I need a degree and a masters,” Mnyamane says.
“Studying is not as difficult as people make it out to be. Yes, it’s challenging, but you have to stay focused. I need to get those qualifications as soon as possible so that I can start working part-time. Then one day I can have my own practice.
“We footballers don’t always take school seriously. I would love to have time to motivate youngsters. It’s time Africans recognised that they too can be brands.”
Just over four years ago Mnyamane was in matric at an Afrikaans high school and he watched Bafana Bafana’s World Cup games on a big screen at a fan park.
After making his debut for AmaTuks last season it hasn’t taken the Varsity Cup product long to make his senior national team debut.
Mnyamane, signed by AmaTuks after impressing in the 2013 Varsity Cup, scored in a 3-1 victory over Swaziland last month.
“It was very emotional for me. It’s a once in a lifetime thing to make your debut for your country. It only sunk in afterwards that I had scored and we won,” he said.
“I want to help my country qualify and do well at the (2018) World Cup. It’s high time we get recognised as a country in football.”
Mnyamane is an only child, but he was never spoilt by his parents, a reason he disciplined.
“I was not the type of kid who cried and then got what he wanted. If I wanted a new cellphone I would have to make sure that my grades at school improved. I needed to be back home every day by 6pm to make sure I get that new bike that I wanted.
“It taught me to be disciplined, not to be cocky or anything. Yes, football played a role in my life, but financially we were not struggling before I started playing football. So I wouldn’t say football changed my financial situation, but it enhanced it.
“Sometimes I wish I had a sister or a brother. You get lonely as a kid, but I got used to it and it taught me to enjoy my space. I grew up as a mommy’s boy,” he laughs.
Mnyamane has six league goals for AmaTuks this season and he bagged the Absa Premiership player of the month award for November and December. There’s a lot more to come from this bright spark.
“I am hoping to stay grounded. I don’t want to get big-headed and I know doors will open.”
is so ON THE BALL: Thabo Mnyamane in action during an Absa Premiership match between SuperSport United and University of Pretoria at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria
He wants to be a motivational speaker for youngsters who think school is a waste of time