Luckyboy Mokoena has been laid to rest and the agent who represented him for the better part of his career, Ratshibvumo Mulovhedzi has offered advice on what current footballers can learn from the former Sekhukhune United player.
Mokoena passed away two weeks ago after succumbing to an illness aged 30.
The Koppies-born star previously also played for TS Galaxy and Highlands, having started his career at Bidvest Wits juniors, before moving to Mpumalanga Black Aces earlier in his career.
Chippa United and Real Kings FC are some of the other clubs that the defender turned out for.
Mulovhedzi says current players should learn to save money while they still can.
The Good
"It is very important that we advise professional footballers on the important things they need to do to do well in their careers and in life and we can't give up on them. Luckyboy Mokoena's death taught me a lot of things about life and one of those is that people should prepare for the unforeseen circumstances. I am happy that Luckyboy planned for those unforeseen circumstances I am talking about as he had a funeral cover which is what I think everyone who is earning a salary should have. I am advising everyone out there that they should insure their lives as you cannot know when your day of death will arrive. I was there and was part of the funeral arrangements and I can confirm that no one contributed anything towards Luckyboy's funeral. Imagine if he didn't insure his life, what would have happened if he had hoped that his former employers would contribute towards the funeral. I always advise my clients that they should save money as much as they can while they are still earning an income and my message goes out to everyone to do the same. Funeral and life insurances are important to have for anyone who is earning a salary as we do not know when tragedy might strike," said Mulovhedzi, speaking exclusively to the Siya crew.
The Bad
"I need to also mention that it was quite disappointing that as we laid Luckboy Mokoena to his final resting place, none of his former teammates were present at the funeral. We are talking about a player who played for Sekhukhune United, Highlands Park and TS Galaxy if I can just mention a few clubs, and none of the players he played with were there. It makes you think if there is anything like a true friend in life," said the intermediary.
The Ugly
"I would like to make a special mention about Petrus Ngebo, who is one of the few people in football who attended the funeral, with the others being David Radebe and Bevan Fransman. Bevan travelled all the way from Cape Town to pay his last respects and that was good to see. It was so disappointing that people who live closer to where Luckboy stayed didn't pitch but these things happen in life. My advice to footballers is that they should always know that real friends are hard to come by in this life. I challenge David Radebe, Petrus Ngebo and Mothobi Mvala who are from the same neighbourhood as Luckyboy to do something for football development in the area through his legacy. I would like to see them opening a football academy there or something like that so that there could be more kids from that area making it into the professional ranks," concluded Mulovhedzi.
What are your memories of Luckyboy Mokoena?
