Retired Zim stars in audacious move to stop bogus agents in SA

By farpost.co.za

Ex-Mamelodi Sundowns defender Alexander Maseko has outlined how retired Zimbabwean footballers joined forces to stop agents from short-changing players in terms of contractual agreements.

Over time, Zimbabwean footballers have struggled to navigate the SA football terrain. As a result, some have lost everything they worked for due to ill-advised decisions.

Some have lived destitute despite earning hefty amounts as players, while others have died paupers. Others have been short-changed by agents, resulting in them signing unfavourable contracts.

Plausibly, this year, retired Zimbabwean footballers living in SA formed the SA-based Zimbabwe Soccer Association. Its thrust is on helping players avoid being swindled by bogus agents.

Maseko leads the committee as the chairperson. Former Moroka Swallows coach Ian Gorowa is the vice-chairperson, with Elasto Lungu being the secretary-general. Former PSL stars William Mugeyi and Peter Ndlovu are the committee members.

The association also includes several former footballers, including Edelbert Dinha, Wilfred Mugeyi, Jimmy Jambo, Kingston Nkhatha, and Innocent Chikoya.

While their non-profit organisation primarily targets Zimbabweans, it is also eager to assist players from other nationalities. A database of Zimbabweans playing in South Africa is already in place.

They are pushing this cause at a time when the number of Zimbabweans playing in the PSL is fast dwindling. Among other issues, they aim to help current players plan for life after hanging up their boots.

Chairperson of the association, Maseko, told FARPost that: “The noble idea is a brainchild of former players. We want to help current players avoid some bogus agents who are emerging.

“We engaged all the Zimbabwean players to come on board and see how we can help each other. As former players, we have been there, and we can manage them; we can also help them map the future. Because what is important is to secure your future whilst you are still playing.

“There have been unfortunate cases. So, we took it upon ourselves to lead the current generation of players. And then, on the part of agents, there are cases every now and then where a player is left out in the cold.

“Some agents are just concerned about the fee they get but not what the future holds for the player. That is where we come in. This association is meant to keep hopes alive in South Africa, where our players have done well.

The ex-Mamelodi Sundowns defender added: “We will be the go-between for the players and the clubs signing them. We don’t want a situation whereby players are represented by agents who just take their percentage and leave the player.

“Our target will be to ensure that players who encounter problems get the necessary help immediately. This means we will be working with legal practitioners and psychologists. It is all about looking after our own.

“We have all seen our players losing everything they would have worked for. So we want to be there to protect all that, including giving financial advice.”