Learn from my mistakes, Lucky urges
Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Lucky Maselesele has urged budding players to learn from his mistakes and take their careers seriously.
Maselesele, now 40, admitted he had made numerous costly “mistakes” during his career‚ including becoming the first Premier Soccer League player to test positive for cocaine during his playing days.
“Learn from me. I made those mistakes.
“I come from this school [the Transnet School of Excellence] and I didn’t lead by example. Learn from me‚” he said.
“It’s important to know where you’re going. Once you leave school you don’t have the backing of your friends. “You need to have focus.” The remorseful former player told pupils at the School of Excellence in Gauteng that he could have made wiser decisions had he been mentored properly.
“I played overseas‚ I got involved in drugs. I lived the good life. I wish I’d had better guidance‚” he said.
“I wish I made wiser choices. “I tested positive for cocaine. I thought I had arrived.
“I was the first player to test positive for cocaine in SA [and] I’m not proud to say that.
“Listen to my story. After the two-year layoff I tried to play everywhere‚ I tried to revive my career; now I had a stigma.”
Former AmaZulu and Jomo Cosmos midfielder Silence Malefane stressed the importance of education among the rising footballers.
Malefane said when he started playing he could not speak English properly but remained optimistic that one day his hard work would pay off.
“I spent seven years at this school. Education is key.
“I started when I was 11 and left at 18‚” Malefane said.
“I could not speak English well. I kept persevering and knew I would get my chance.
“I worked hard at school; I believed education would take me further.
“I know those who studied are standing today.”
The 38-year-old said many footballers forgot about the basics when they started to enjoy the trappings of luxury that came with a fat pay cheque.
“When money flows we start forgetting about the basics‚ like to keep learning.
“I had money‚ I had the girls‚ life was good. I did all the wrong things.
“I was popular. I even got the girls that [would ordinarily not] look twice at me.
“I forgot about all else. Then injury set in.
“When injury hits‚ you don’t know if you’ll come back the same person or even if you will come back.
“Always have education as a nest egg to fall back on.
“Educate yourself for you and your family. Don’t leave them hungry; in the lurch.
“Educate [yourself] so that you can always provide for them.”