SIMBA RUSHWAYA
Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini has gained reputation for shutting out strikers. Plaudits for the defender came recently when Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho said Chiellini, alongside his defence partner Leonardo Bonucci, could go to Harvard University to give lessons about defending.
Apart from being a tough defender at Juventus, Chiellini is a holder of a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Turin.
Unlike some of his peers who end up paupers after their playing days, former Buymore striker More Moyo (pictured) prepared well for his post heydays as he is living a relatively comfortable life, something that is not synonymous with ex-footballers. In most cases, stories about former footballers are all about falling on hard times or taking illicit substances commonly known as musombodhiya in street lingo.
Moyo is a chartered marketer and holds a Master’s degree from the Midlands State University in Marketing Strategy and a fellow of the Marketers Association of Zimbabwe where he sits in the national body.
He had earlier attained a Bachelor of Commerce degree with the University of South Africa.
If he is not at his workplace in Graniteside in Harare, the former Buymore Football Club kingpin will be at a golf course.
“Players must always try to focus on life after football. It’s always good to pursue slowly your educational qualifications. It’s never too late. You can succeed in anything if you put your mind to it,” Moyo said.
The former Gunners and Lengthens striker who started playing soccer while in primary school in Marondera is a former treasurer of the Football Union of Zimbabwe.
“Many footballers ignore educational advancement because they are blinded by the false comfort zone during playing days. The kind of life we lead as players is usually in the fast lane, but it fizzles out when you hang the boots.
“That is why it needs planning and try to find something that keeps you busy when you retire,” said Moyo who worked extensively for the Public Service Medical Aid Services where he was a colleague to former Buymore owner and Zimbabwe Football Association president Cuthbert Dube.
“I learnt a lot from Dube and pay tribute to him. He gave me a lot of advice, and I’m who I’m because of him.”
Most retired footballers usually face challenges because very few are absorbed into mainstream coaching because the jobs are few. The Premier Soccer League has 18 teams which means only 18 coaches are employed as head coaches while others benefit as assistant coaches.
Other notable sportsmen who invested in life after football include FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza, tennis prodigies Byron and Wayne Black. The three are neighbours in the leafy suburb of Glen Lorne in Harare.
Many ex-footballers have however, chosen to stay in the Diaspora where they are eking out a living and even advancing their education. Former Dynamos defender Chamunoda Musanhu recently graduated in the United Kingdom, while former players such as Memory Mucherahowa, Kennedy Chihuri, Joe Mugabe, Nqobizitha Ncube and Maxwell Dube have all settled in the UK.
South Africa is also home to retired Zimbabwe players in the mould of Alexander Maseko, Edelbert Dinha, Rabson Muchichwa among others.
Retiring from professional foot ball without a contingency plan can leave many struggling to fill the void. A 2015 study from FIFPro found that 35 percent of former footballers reported feelings of depression and anxiety.
In addition, 25 percent of former footballers reported adverse alcohol behaviour. Forty-five percent of players earn less than $1 000 a month during their careers, according to a FIFPro report in 2016.
That combination means many former players are left struggling to pay the bills with no education or relevant work experience to fall back on.
The scourge of retired footballers who go into depression is not unique to Zimbabwe alone. Three months ago, former Cameroonian captain Samuel Etoo was forced to bail out ex-Indomitable lion Nobert Owona who was homeless.
The 37-year-old, a four-time African footballer of the year, gave the 67 year-old about $1 000 (£750) as well as promising to give him a new house.
Legendary Nigerian striker Rashidi Yekini died a pauper after losing savings to a sham investment.
