Vukubi warns big PSL salaries can damage young players’ mentality

For young footballers growing up in South African townships, where having no money for a day can be normal, a monthly salary of R200 000 can transform their lives.

But former Kaizer Chiefs striker Dennis Vukubi believes that sudden financial change can also harm their careers if players are not prepared to manage it.

Vukubi says the Professional Soccer League’s financial growth has created opportunities for players, but argues that many young footballers lack the guidance needed to deal with large sums of money.

“Most of our Black kids being exposed to higher amounts of money has killed their mentality,” he tells KICKOFF.

He says players from township backgrounds are often given substantial salaries without having been taught how to budget or plan for the future.

“Having grown up in a township, we were never even trained how to use money. Growing up in the township we are used to living our lives without having even a cent in our pocket, and all of a sudden R200 000 is being deposited into your bank account.”

Vukubi’s concern is not that players are earning more, but that their new financial circumstances can divert attention away from football.

Rather than focusing on improving their performances and developing their careers, he believes some players become more concerned with maintaining the lifestyle that their salaries allow.

Professional football careers are short, and a move to a major club can bring a dramatic rise in income. However, Vukubi says the benefit of that opportunity can be lost when players are not equipped to handle the financial pressure and responsibility that come with it.

Vukubi calls for league support

Vukubi is not advocating lower wages for players. Instead, he wants the PSL to introduce systems that would help young footballers protect their earnings and prepare for life after football.

“I’m happy there’s money in the PSL, but teach these boys how to budget. The league must deduct a certain portion of a player’s salary and save it for rainy days.”

His proposal would see part of each player’s salary automatically set aside, giving them savings to rely on in the future.

For Vukubi, financial education should be treated as an essential part of developing young players. He believes that helping footballers understand how to manage their income would allow them to benefit from the opportunities provided by the PSL without losing focus on their football.