Former Bafana Bafana striker and former Cape Town City head coach Benni McCarthy has highlighted the need to teach footballers on how to handle finances and also prepare thoroughly for the future from an early age.
McCarthy was speaking at the second edition of the Nedbank Football and Finance Summit which was held at the bank’s headquarters in Sandton on Thursday.
The former Ajax Amsterdam striker was also unveiled as the tournament’s ambassador. McCarthy touches on the taboo topic in South African football, players and their finances.
McCarthy, who is back in the country after spending some time overseas with his family and searching for his next coaching job, says financial advice goes a long way in building future leaders.
Former Banyana Banyana captain Amanda “Tokkie” Dlamini took part in the first-panel discussion which focused on football but also the role the game played in her getting more endorsements after playing for the national team.
She says qualifying for international tournaments also helped to attract sponsors for Banyana and women footballers.
Dlamini says this Football and Finance Summit is also becoming relevant for women’s footballers in the country with more players being exported to European clubs.
In the past football agents or intermediaries have been blamed for not advising their clients (players) properly especially when it comes to saving for the future.
Glyn Binkin is one of the leading agents in the country having worked with some top players including former Bafana captains Lucas Radebe, Morgan Gould and Bongani Khumalo. He says as agents they always play their part and some players don’t heed the advice.
Bafana and SuperSport United goalkeeper Ronwen Williams shared a story of how his former coach and record-equaling league winning coach Gavin Hunt has always been a good mentor who helped them to look beyond the footballing field. – Report by Velile Mnyandu
