Bhengu blames ‘greedy’ agent for failed Portugal move

Former Moroka Swallows striker Phumelele Bhengu says a promising opportunity to begin a career in Europe collapsed after his agent demanded an excessive share of the transfer fee.

Bhengu, who was once compared with South Africa great Benni McCarthy, says he could have fulfilled his ambition of playing overseas if he had chosen his representative more carefully. The 36-year-old is now warning young players entering the PSL not to allow desperation to push them into agreements with agents motivated primarily by money.

“Agents stopped me from playing overseas. I would have played overseas if I had made a good choice when it came to agents,” Bhengu opens up, speaking to KickOff.

The striker says he had the chance to join Portuguese side Maritimo after being invited for a trial at the club. The opportunity was arranged by a Cape Town businessman who had watched Bhengu play against FC Cape Town.

Bhengu was playing for Mpumalanga Black Aces in the NFD (National First Division) at the time. He says the businessman explained that he came from Madeira in Portugal, the island also associated with Cristiano Ronaldo.

“When he introduced himself, he told me he was from Madeira in Portugal, where [Cristiano] Ronaldo is from. At the time, I was still playing at Mpumalanga Black Aces in the NFD [National First Division].”

After informing his agent about the proposed trip, Bhengu says he received approval to proceed. The businessman covered the expenses, including the visa and pocket money, allowing him to travel to Portugal and attend the trial when he was 22.

“I informed my agent about the guy, and he was fine with it. The guy paid for everything, including my visa and pocket money. I went there and made it at the age of 22.”

Bhengu says Maritimo gave him permission to return to South Africa so he could join his national Under-23 team-mates before their departure for the All Africa Games. However, he claims the situation changed when his agent sought a much larger financial reward.

“They allowed me to come back home to team up with my national team’s Under-23 teammates as we were about to leave for the All Africa Games,” he adds.

According to Bhengu, the agent wanted 70% of the money that was due to the businessman who had organised and financed the trip, despite allegedly playing no role in making the opportunity possible.

“Now he wanted more money,” recalls the 36-year-old.

“He was asking for a 70% cut from the money that was supposed to be paid to the guy who arranged everything for me, even though the agent did nothing for the deal to happen.”

Bhengu also says the agent did not provide him with spending money during his time in Portugal and failed to maintain contact with him while he was there. He believes the disagreement over the proposed split ultimately prevented the move from being completed.

“The agent never even gave me pocket money for Portugal. Even when I was there, he never called. The deal ended up not happening because of my greedy agent. He wanted the guy who spent his money to get me to Portugal to get only a 20% cut.”

Instead of securing a move to Europe, Bhengu says the agent later arranged a transfer to AmaTuks in the NFD. He describes that outcome as particularly disappointing given the opportunity that had preceded it.

“After that, this agent of mine was only able to get me a deal in the NFD with AmaTuks. That was the worst. You deny me an overseas move just to send me to the NFD!”