Former Orlando Pirates striker Rudolf Bester has warned professional footballers in his home country of Namibia and those based in South Africa against the tendency of only starting to invest their hard-earned money upon hanging up boots.
The former Namibian international, speaking to Namibia’s New Era newspaper, said footballers ought to learn from many examples of big-earning players who were rendered destitute after retiring from a playing career.
“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,” he is quoted saying.
Bester gave the piece of advice amid reports of footballers living miserable lives upon retirement in Namibia and across the world.
The former Moroka Swallows striker urged footballers to invest in real estate as plan B because a player’s career is short-term.
“I usually tell young players to use their money wisely while still active. Buy a house, a flat or even build yourself a small backyard room with your parents while you still have the means because things can get 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,” he said.
Namibia’s Brave Warriors’ all-time leading scorer further urged footballers to go for financial literacy training if they are unsure how to invest their money.
“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,” he said.
Bester is living by example as he is said to have ventured into entrepreneurship back home in Namibia after a successful professional career in Namibia then in South Africa.
The Namibian had a glamorous career in South Africa, where he played for PSL outfits such as Golden Arrows and Free State Stars before earning the big money move to Pirates, where he played from 2011 to 2014.
The 39-year-old made over 20 appearances for Pirates, and he was largely a success, although his career was often blighted by niggling injuries.
South Africa is home to a number of Namibian footballers, the most notable being Mamelodi Sundowns’ hitman Peter Shalulile and Pirates winger Deon Hotto.
