Former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns defender Benson Mhlongo has welcomed plans by the South African Football Players Union (SAFPU) to introduce a pension fund scheme for professional footballers in South Africa. The former Bafana Bafana international believes the proposed initiative could make a major difference in the lives of players who often struggle financially after bringing their football careers to an end.

According to reports, SAFPU is in the final stages of reaching an agreement with a corporate scheme that would allow professional footballers to contribute towards a pension fund. The initiative is aimed at giving players financial security once they retire from professional football.

The proposed scheme comes at a time when concerns continue to grow about what happens to footballers after their playing careers. Unlike people who work in other professions, professional footballers generally have a much shorter working life. Some players retire in their early thirties, while others are forced to stop playing even earlier because of injuries, a lack of opportunities or other circumstances.

Mhlongo believes this makes the proposed pension fund an important development for South African football. He explained that most footballers spend around 15 years earning a living through the sport, with some knowing very little outside the game.

Speaking to KickOff, the former defender described the initiative as a wonderful development and praised SAFPU for continuing to push for a solution that could benefit players beyond their retirement.

He also pointed out that footballers deserve to have something to depend on after spending years entertaining supporters and representing their clubs and the country.

Mhlongo acknowledged that establishing the pension fund would not necessarily solve every financial problem players might experience after retirement. However, he believes getting the scheme started should be the main priority, with improvements introduced as more experience and feedback become available.

The former Pirates and Sundowns star explained that it would be difficult to improve something that did not exist in the first place. In his view, the most important achievement would be putting the proposed scheme into operation and allowing footballers to benefit from it.

He compared the initiative to the development of football itself, explaining that the sport did not start with the financial rewards and opportunities that exist today. Over the years, it has grown into a major industry where some players earn significant amounts of money.

Mhlongo believes the same approach should be taken with the pension fund. Starting with an initial structure would allow SAFPU to identify weaknesses, receive feedback from players and make the necessary changes along the way.

The former Bafana Bafana defender also raised an important issue about the future of footballers, saying that the people who dedicate their lives to the sport should not be forgotten once their playing days are over.

Although the details of the proposed pension arrangement, including contribution requirements and benefit structures, have not yet been fully announced, the plans could represent an important step towards improving the long-term financial security of professional footballers in South Africa.

For many players, retirement can be a difficult transition, particularly for those who have spent most of their lives concentrating on football without preparing for another career.

If SAFPU successfully concludes the agreement, the proposed scheme could give professional footballers an opportunity to plan for life after football and avoid facing retirement without financial support.

Source: kick-off