Just like a bucket of spilt milk, a football career is short-lived and once it is over, it can never be reversed and therefore, smart financial planning is the gateway to a prosperous life after a footballer’s playing days are over. 

These were the wise words of retired Brave Warriors legendary striker Rudolf Bester during a brief chat with New Era Sport yesterday, during which he also shared his thoughts on the booming export of young players to foreign leagues. 

The 39-year-old Bester, who played for South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) giants Orlando Pirates between 2011 and 2014 and made over 20 appearances during an injury-hit but otherwise successful stint, expressed his excitement with the growing number of Namibian footballers plying their trade in various leagues in Africa and overseas. 

And while he is overly excited about the prospects of the senior national team benefitting from the thriving export of local players to big leagues through major million-dollar transfer deals, he, however, cautioned the current crop of footballers to take financial literacy seriously and plan better for their futures. 

Bester, who is widely regarded as one of Namibia’s most decorated strikers of all time and also had stints with PSL outfits Golden Arrows, Free State Stars and Moroka Swallows, said a football career and money have one thing in common – they come and
go. 

“It is thus very important for our young footballers to plan better and take financial literacy seriously, especially those playing and earning big money in South Africa and elsewhere. These things are very serious and not to be taken lightly. 

I always say they should take time to look around and see first-hand what happened to other former footballers who were earning millions in the past; they are now homeless. They need to take care of their money and plan better. 

They must seek professional advice and invest in assets that will look after them once their careers are over,” said Bester, who entered the entrepreneurial world. 

“I usually tell young players to make use of their money wisely while still active. 

Buy a house, a flat or even built yourself a small backyard room at your parents’ while you still have the means, because things can get really tough once your career is over and you didn’t plan better. 

Money, just like a football career, comes and goes. If you take care of your money now, it will take care of you later when your football days are over.” - ohembapu@nepc.com.na