Former Bafana Bafana striker and all-time leading goal scorer, Bennie McCarthy has implored young footballers to be financially savvy.
Speaking at the launch of the COPA Coca-Cola soccer tournament, McCarthy said, “Playing football is one of the shortest careers you can ever have, and it would be wise for up-and-coming footballers to be financially literate and learn to save part of the money they earn.”
He implored them to make wise decisions as bad ones would tend to impact negatively, not just on their careers but also in their life. “You are so fortunate to have a tournament like COPA Coca-Cola which not only offers you the opportunity to play football and to lead a healthy lifestyle, but also goes the extra-mile to ensure they hone your financial skills so you can properly protect your hard-earned cash.”
He added that education should be a footballer’s first port of call. “A footballer without education is no different to a car without an engine. A sharp and educated brain is all that you need in life for success in any career that you choose, and in many instances once you have an education all other attributes needed tend to fall in place automatically. Along with education you will also need discipline and humbleness, and not allow fame to make you big-headed.”
His words were echoed by national U17 team coach Molefi Ntseki who said education was the pillar of any career. He appealed to the education authorities to ensure that plans were put in place now, to enable the national U17 players who will be playing in the Caf African Youth Championships in Mali to write their matric examinations at a later date.
“They will be away on national duty at the time of the examinations and it would only be proper for them to write their examinations at a later date,” Ntseki said.
