Motsepe urges African players to spend wisely and invest their money
Patrice Motsepe, the president of the Confederation of African Football (Caf), has spoken of how African players need save their money so that they have something to fall back on when they eventually quit the game.
Motsepe was the president of Mamelodi Sundowns before he left to join Caf, and said he would see many luxury cars whenever he visited Chloorkop.
“When I was president of Mamelodi Sundowns, I went to see the players train and I would see very expensive Mercedes, BMWs, even Ferraris,” he said at a recent press conference in Angola.
“It is fine to buy these wonderful things as long as you [also] take your money and invest it for the days when you don’t play.
“I’ve seen many players who are our heroes when they play and have nothing when they don’t.”
But Motsepe also called for more clubs in Africa to pay their players well, so that some do not need to leave the continent to earn better overseas.
“We have to show players we can pay them very well and compete with some European countries,” said Motsepe. “We believe that there is exceptional talent in Africa, and if we develop it, we should be able to pay … very good salaries to the players, the coaches and the employees.”
Meanwhile, The South African Football Association yesterday announced Freddy Hirsch as Bafana Bafana’s new Shisanyama partner.
Safa CEO Lydia Monyepao greeted the news with great excitement.
“Uniting with Freddy Hirsch allows us to bring together two of South Africa’s greatest loves — football and Shisanyama,” said Monyepao in a statement released by Safa.
“This collaboration will enhance matchday experiences in stadia as well as at home or fan’s favourite shisanyama spots and enrich our ties and cultural heritage over he next three years.” —