Under different circumstances, Thandani Ntshumayelo, Phakamani Mahlambi, Siphelele Ntshangase and Masibusane Zongo, just to mention a few of Mzansi's talented footballers, would be in the prime of their careers and probably playing for the national team.
However, fame and fortune are seen as the cause for the lack of progress for these players and many others from their generation and before.
Following the announcement of Ntshumayelo's sudden retirement from professional football, there seems to be a need to continue teaching footballers about the importance of taking their careers seriously and avoid the temptations of going off the rails.
Bibo, as the midfielder is fondly known, was in the prime of his career when he was banned from the sport in 2026 for using a illegal substance.
When he was finally allowed to play again in 2019, although things were no longer the same for him as he struggled with fitness.
The Heilbron-born player has since decided to call it quits at the age of 33, while the likes of Mahlambi, Ntshangase and Zongo are struggling to come back after being affected by off-the-field disruptions.
Football agent Ratshibvumo Mulovhedzi is all about preaching discipline to footballers and he has offered advice to the current players.
The Good
"In our stable, we have a system where we advise players to invest in property and it has worked for most of my clients. Look at guys like Jimmy Tau, Phumudzo Manenzhe, Dikgang Mabalane and Bongani Khumalo just to mention a few, they were never in the news for the wrong reasons in their prime and as a result they managed to get gigs on television after their football careers were over are doing promotions and things and things like that. Guys like Siphiwe Tshabalala, Aaron Mokoena and Lucas Radebe are never short of options for gigs because they have always been known for discipline since their playing careers. Guys who have been known for ill-discipline are difficult to find on TV doing work as analysts and things like that. There are many advantages about being disciplined as a professional footballer as you can even get endorsements and things like that. Time waits for no man and I advise footballers, especially the younger ones, to save as much as they possibly can because they earn a lot of money. A top footballer in his prime in the PSL earns upwards of R100 000 per month and buying a house can cost in the region of R10 000 per month sometimes and I see no reason players are not investing in property while they still have an income. Young footballers should avoid trying to prove a point to anyone by showing off with their earnings," said Mulovhedzi.
The Bad
"Drugs and alcohol are not good for professional footballers. Yes, someone can drink but they must do that responsibly if they decide on enjoying themselves. Players should watch who they associate with and youngsters should avoid going out with the experienced guys who are earning huge salaries to avoid the pressure of having spend big like them. I like players who do not change friends when they turn professional and stick to the people they grew up with because usually that helps. Problems start when they want to become friends with famous people and start spending big on alcohol and expensive clothes and stuff like that. Players should guard against such temptations," he said.
The Ugly
"Thandani Ntshumayelo's story should serve as a lesson to the up and coming youngsters that drugs are not good for football or any sport for that matter. They should read their contracts carefully as it is always stated there that drugs are not allowed in the beautiful game. He (Ntshumayelo) might have got opportunities here and there after his ban for the mistake he made then was lifted but the truth of the matter clubs are skeptical about associating with players that have been on the wrong side of the law for such actions. When unsure of anything, youngsters must ask for advice from senior players. There are sponsors involved in the game and therefore it cannot be easy for anyone to make it in professional football after they had been banned because clubs will not want to jeopardise their relationship with their partners. Ntshumayelo's story is a lesson for youngsters to live a clean life. We didn't see the best of Ntshumayelo because of one mistake he made and the consequences afterwards. Young players must not be misled into doing wrong things because such actions might have wrong impact in their careers. To Bibo, you have played your part and I trust that you have learnt from your experience and I urge you to find time to engage youngsters in football about your experience now that you have retired so that they don't fall into the same trap in future," concluded the intermediary.
