"THERE'S LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL" - THABANG MABUSELA

Football has a habit of being ruthless to those that are least prepared. The ones living under a cloud of immortality, constantly feeding off the illusion that their names will forever be on the back-pages of a newspaper. How many times do we hear of players who have fallen from grace after their playing days; battling to maintain their lifestyle all because they failed to realize the importance of preparing for the future? It is only when the sport shuns them, they come to terms with the fact that they have wasted time.

Every township has young men who have an obtrusive affair with football. They all dream of the day they can make it professionally. Not all will do, but only a select few will get a chance to live the dream. The dream often becomes a nightmare as things do not go according to plan: clubs do not honour their contractual obligation, a player gets a career threatening injury, or sometimes it ends up being a hopeless span on the bench. What if the best decision for the player is to not pursue the dream?

In a tell-all interview The Grandstand [on behalf of Diski Ramble] had with former Black Leopards and FC AK utility player, Thabang Mabusela explains the plight that led to him prioritizing his Education over playing in the PSL.

“Playing pro football was never a dream I thought I’d attain. I played the sport just like any other kid growing up in the township, but the dream eventually caught up with my talent when I was selected to play in the SASSU’s and the national team [SA Schools World Cup]. I was later signed by coach Kalambay “Bibey” Mutombo[For Black Leopards FC] from Tshwane University of Technology where I studied my Diploma in IT ”

A great relationship with coach Bibey would see him enjoy a lion’s share of game time, which would make his transition into topflight football memorable. That continued until his season long contract came to an end. He then signed a 3-year deal with FC AK.

“After a frustrating 6 months on the bench, I asked the team to loan me back to Leopards. I unfortunately got embroiled in what would be a lengthy court battle midway through the loan spell due to non-payment of salaries. They had terminated our [Mandla Zwane and Thabani Stemmer] contracts. We took the matter to the CCMA and won the case, but the club decide to take the matter to court”

“Even though we eventually won the court case and got compensated what was due to us, the whole process really made me reconsider my decision to make a living from football. However, my love for the sport overpowered my instinct - I then decided to fight for my position at FC AK.”

He would go on to spend a year at FC AK, before his destiny would come knocking again. He didn’t have much of a choice, but to open the door this time.

“The club started experiencing financial difficulties and would sometimes struggle to pay our salaries. I remember this one time I was locked out of the apartment the club was renting out for me because rent was overdue. Imagine. You’re coming back from training, tired as ever and have no access to your home. You’re now forced to ask for favours”

“Ironically that’s the time I received a letter from the university informing me that I was left with only 6 months to complete my internship, otherwise I wouldn’t obtain my diploma. The sign from above could not be any clearer. My biggest headache though, would be asking the club to terminate my contract. Initially it would be a struggle, but thanks to the late David Kekana and Daniel “Mambush’ Mudau[former CEO and Team Manager of FCAK], all was eventually resolved. Even though it was a win-win situation for the club and myself, I was fortunate to have the two gentlemen understand my situation”

Not all footballers are this fortunate to have administrators who would understand the need to prioritize education. Had the ship sailed, he would probably be living a life of regret.

“I’m gonna be frank with you; the opinion that most SA footballers earn a lot of money is far from the truth. Most guys are struggling. That’s why you’ll have players that play pro but as soon as they retire, they are forced to rebuilding their lives. I was afforded a chance to make a proper living outside of football and that’s a rare case. I’m a family man and lead a fairly comfortable life. I work for one of the major banks as a Senior Software Test Analyst”

“I’ll never stop loving football. Every single chance I get I still play, but I do not regret the decision I made. In fact I’m grateful I did. Sometimes you’ve got to learn to fail fast. When I look at the road most footballers travel, I know I made the right choice.”