Shooting for success off the field

Some highly successful soccer players are known for scoring financial own goals during their short careers. The Player Transition programme ensures that knowledge is the best defence.

The PSL Player Transition Programme was introduced earlier this year to equip PSL players with the necessary knowledge and skills to find careers off and beyond the field.

Designed by UP's Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), in partnership with MultiChoice, the course produced its first graduates in November 2022.

Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, Orlando Pirates playmaker Vincent Pule, Kennedy Mweene from Mamelodi Sundowns, and a number of other soccer players received their certificates from PSL chairman Irvin Khoza at their graduation. Dr Khoza, MultiChoice South Africa executives, and family members of the graduates attended the graduation ceremony.

Despite their glamorous lifestyles and high salaries, soccer players have had a history of failing to navigate financial obstacles during their short careers. The press is often filled with stories of once-successful players now destitute. The lack of financial and business skills often renders some of the most talented players broke after retirement.

The transition programme is a custommade six-month course aimed at empowering soccer players with the skills to help them find careers off the field after they retire. A total of 64 soccer players from the 16 PSL clubs enrolled in the first phase of the programme.